Study of transcranial colour Doppler in the measurement of cerebral edema in birth asphyxia

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is an insult to fetus or newborn due to lack of oxygen /perfusion to various organs. Perinatal asphyxia occurs in 1 to 3 per 1000 live births and is related to gestational age and birth weight. Worldwide 4-9 million suffer from birth asphyxia. It occur in 9% of infants of <36 wks of gestation and 0.5% in > 36 wks. Hypoxic ischemic brain injury is the most important consequence of perinatal asphyxia.

Aim of study: To detect the measurement of cerebral blood flow in full term infants with birth asphyxia, by use of transcranial colour Doppler to measure RI (Resistive Index).

Setting: Department of Paediatrics at MY hospital in collaboration with department of radiodiagnosis over a period of 1 yr from November 2013- October 14.

Design: Observational study.

Method: It included 40 consecutive cases of birth asphyxia who suffered from HIE. Measurement of cerebral blood flow velocity was done by the use of colour doppler ultrasound.

Result: Resistive index values were lower in measured vessels in asphyxiated infant as compared by blood flow velocity, resistive index of ACA and MCA. It is observed in our study that maximum number of patients in asphyxiated group belongs to grade II HIE 87.5% (35), while in stage III there were 2.5% (1) and in stage I only 4 (10%) patients.

Conclusion: Colour Doppler USG would be of practical importance in evaluating the cerebral blood flow velocity in neonate with HIE. A skillful detection of decrease in cerebral blood flow of neonate in postnatal first 12 hrs & treatment being based on such detection would contribute to a good prognosis.