Low cerebral perfusion pressure: an indicator of poor prognosis in asphyxiated term infants

To establish the value of monitoring cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) as an index for outcome in acutely ill neonates, blood pressure and intracranial pressure (ICP) were monitored in 44 sick newborn infants. ICP was measured via the fontanel using a noninvasive technique. The results indicate that CPP was similar in preterm hyaline membrane disease infants with intracranial bleed and in those without bleed. In term asphyxiated infants, CPP correlated with outcome; 86% of those with low CPP either died or developed cerebral palsy and 75% of those with normal CPP were neurologically normal. We feel that low CPP in asphyxiated term infants must be viewed with concern.