Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of
Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India | Department of Radiodiagnosis, Postgraduate Institute
of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Praveen Kumar, Neonatal Unit,
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and
Research, Chandigarh-160012, India. Tel.: +91 172 2755308; Fax: +91 172
2744401; E-mail: drpkumarpgi@gmail.com
Abstract: This study identified the association between middle cerebral artery
(MCA) flow changes in first 6 h of life and death or abnormal neurological
examination at 3 mo of corrected age in asphyxiated neonates of gestation ⩾
34 wk. Sixty neonates with asphyxia and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
underwent a cranial Doppler within 6 h of life and were followed till 3 mo of
age. Nineteen infants (32%) had the primary outcome at 3 mo. The median MCA-end
diastolic velocity (EDV) was significantly higher in babies with adverse
outcome. The risk of a combined adverse outcome was 2.6 and 2.7 times more in
infants with an abnormally elevated MCA- EDV and decreased MCA-pulsatility
index (PI) respectively. A low PI had a specificity of 97% for the combined
adverse outcome. In conclusion, An abnormal MCA-EDV and PI measured within
first 6 h of life were significantly associated with death or abnormal
neurological examination at 3 mo.
