Continuous wave ultrasound measure of neonatal cerebral blood flow

We report cerebral blood flow (CBF) values for healthy neonates in five gestational age categories for 9 single and 7 combination measures of continuous wave Doppler ultrasound. Combinations of measures, particularly those from the anterior cerebral artery with a 5.0 MgH probe, increased the reliability and validity. The most reliable and valid single measure was mean flow velocity from the anterior cerebral artery (5.0 MgH probe). CBF values were lower for neonates with respirator support than for neonates without respirator support. No significant differences were found in CBF measures between intubated neonates who developed IVH and intubated neonates who did not develop IVH. Neonates who were intubated and developed intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were treated more vigorously than those who were intubated and did not develop IVH. By day 6, neonates with IVH had a significantly higher mean pH, mean serum bicarbonate, and mean positive base balance.