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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Quantitative ultra-micro angiography assessment of dynamic cerebral microperfusion patterns by gestational age in
Yahui Zhang1, Yanxia You1, Yinxing Hu1
1Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Introduction:
We aimed to establish normative developmental patterns of cerebral microperfusion using ultra-micro angiography and evaluate regional microvascular differences in neonates across gestational ages.
Methods:
This prospective observational cohort study enrolled 115 neonates from a single-center neonatal intensive care unit or neonatal ward at Peking University Third Hospital (2023-2024). The patients were stratified by postmenstrual age into extremely/very preterm (n = 30), moderate/late preterm (n = 23), and term (n = 62) groups, excluding those with major anomalies/hemodynamic instability. Ultra-micro angiography was performed via the anterior/sphenoid fontanelles during quiet sleep (3-14 days postnatal). Regional color pixel percentage (CPP) and large-vessel hemodynamics [peak systolic velocity [PSV]/end-diastolic velocity [EDV]/ resistance index [RI]] were measured.
Results:
Ultra-micro angiography revealed distinct postmenstrual age-dependent microvascular perfusion patterns, with cortical and white matter CPP demonstrating progressive increase across postmenstrual age groups (extremely preterm vs. term infants: frontal lobe CPP 22.97 [IQR 20.12-28.92] vs. 47.57 [40.07-55.93]; parietal lobe CPP 25.09 [20.96-29.94] vs. 47.69 [38.93-55.97]), while basal ganglia CPP remained stable [32.96 [30.64-35.02] vs. 33.77 [31.52-37.46]]. Midline regions consistently exhibited the highest perfusion across all ages [term infants: 66.26 (61.33-70.62)]. Concurrent macrovascular assessment showed that anterior/middle cerebral artery peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities increased with maturation, although resistance indices maintained stability.
Conclusion:
Ultra-micro angiography-derived CPP quantifies gestational age-dependent microvascular maturation, revealing distinct regional perfusion patterns. Differences in the progression of CPP in various brain regions may serve as a biomarker for risk stratification of neurodevelopment in premature infants.
