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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (fTCD)
Published on: September 27, 2010
[Transcranial Doppler sonography in childhood. 1. Study technic and biological effect magnitudes]
1Universitäts-Kinderspital, Basel.
Insights
Transcranial Doppler sonography reliably measures blood flow in basal cerebral arteries across all ages. Flow velocities are influenced by age, peaking around age six, and affected by CO2, gestational age, birth weight, and hematocrit.
Area of Science:
- Neurosonology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Vascular Physiology
Context:
- Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) is a non-invasive tool for assessing cerebral blood flow.
- Standardized techniques ensure reliable vessel identification, even without direct visualization.
- Maintaining patient vigilance is crucial for consistent Doppler recordings.
Purpose:
- To investigate the age-dependent changes in basal cerebral artery blood flow velocities.
- To identify factors influencing these velocities in different age groups.
- To establish reference ranges for cerebral blood flow in children.
Summary:
- Blood flow velocities in basal cerebral arteries are measurable via TCD at any age.
- Flow velocities exhibit a linear increase in early life, peaking around age six.
- Factors such as CO2 partial pressure, gestational age, birth weight, and hematocrit significantly impact flow velocities.
Impact:
- Provides normative data for cerebral blood flow in pediatric populations.
- Aids in the diagnosis and monitoring of cerebrovascular conditions in children.
- Enhances understanding of cerebral circulatory development and regulation.
Abstract:
The blood flow velocities in the basal cerebral arteries can be recorded at any age by transcranial Doppler sonography. Using a standardised examination technique the vessel identification is reliable even without visual control. A stable state of vigilance is necessary to obtain constant recordings. Age has a definite influence on the flow velocities. Velocities increase linearily during the first weeks and later on more slowly until they reach their maximum around the 6th year of life. The influence of CO2 partial pressure, gestational age, birth weight and haematocrit on the flow velocities must be taken into consideration. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure are relevant only in case of extreme values.
