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Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Haemodynamic assessment and management of hypotension in the preterm
Rachel Mullaly1, Afif Faisal El-Khuffash2
1Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
The management of low blood flow states in premature neonates is fraught with many challenges. We remain over-reliant on regimented stepwise protocols that use mean blood pressure as a threshold for intervention to guide treatment, without giving due consideration to the underlying pathophysiology. The current available evidence does not reflect the need to concentrate on the unique pathophysiology of the preterm infant and thus leads to widespread misuse of vasoactive agents that often do not provide the desired clinical effect. Therefore, understanding the underlying pathophysiological underpinnings of haemodynamic compromise may better guide choice of agent and assess physiological response to the selected intervention.
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