Abstract
Reactive hyperaemia, which occurs after a short period of arterial occlusion is regulated by the autonomic nerve system. Studies of reactive hyperaemia in newborn infants reported so far are based on limb plethysmography, a method which does not discriminate between skin and muscle blood flow. To determine the regulation of cutaneous blood flow alone, we measured the reactive hyperaemia response using a diode laser doppler flowmeter.
Twentyfive infants with a birthweight ranging from 0.8 to 2.3 kilograms and a gestational age ranging from 23 to 40 weeks were studied.
Results: Cutaneous reactive hyperaemia responses could be elicited in all infants. A good correlation was found between preocclusional cutaneous blood flow and the maximal hyperaemia response. No correlation was found with age, postconceptional age, skin temperature, weight, haematocrit, and transcutaneous oxygen tension.
Conclusion: Autonomic regulation of cutaneous blood flow appears to be equally present in both premature and term newborn infants.
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Beaufort-Krol, G., Suichies, H., Aarnoudse, J. et al. REGULATION OF CUTANEOUS BLOOD FLOW IN NEWBORN INFANTS. Pediatr Res 22, 241 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00165
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00165