Abstract
ABSTRACT: We investigated early postnatal changes of the mesenteric circulation and its relationship to the systemic circulation in two groups of newborn infants. Group I (n = 10) was studied before the first feeding at 1 h and preprandially at 6 and 24 h. Group II (n = 10) was studied before the first feeding at 2 h of age and preprandially and postprandially at d 3, 4, and 5. Blood flow velocity was measured with ultrasound Doppler in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), middle cerebral artery, subclavian artery, and aortic orifice for cardiac out-put (CO) calculations. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored. SMA mean velocity (Vmean) decreased from 1 [0.33 ± 0.07 m/s (mean ± SD)] to 6 h (0.23 ± 0.08 m/s,p < 0.005) in group I, probably due to ductal steal, returning to the 1-h value at 24 h. In contrast, middle cerebral artery Vmean remained unchanged in the first 24 h. From d 3, SMA Vmean increased 92% postprandially, with no relation to increasing amounts of food. The postprandial increase in SMA Vmean was not associated with changes in CO and blood pressure; however, a fall in relative mesenteric vascu-lar resistance suggested regional redistribution of CO. Middle cerebral artery Vmean increased from h 2 to d 3 with a further increase on d 4 (p < 0.01). This increase was associated with an increase in blood pressure. The relative fraction of CO to middle cerebral artery increased during the first days of life, suggesting a redistribution of blood flow to the metabolically active organs in the neonatal period.
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Martinussen, M., Brubakk, AM., Linker, D. et al. Mesenteric Blood Flow Velocity and Its Relation to Circulatory Adaptation during the First Week of Life in Healthy Term Infants. Pediatr Res 36, 334–339 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199409000-00011
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199409000-00011
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