Evaluation Of Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Pattern In Premature Babies And Its Correlation With Neurological Abnormalities – A Cross Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Of all the pregnancies, about 10% end in preterm labour and of these preterm babies about 10% sustain neurological injuries. The present study was undertaken with objective to study the cerebral blood flow using colour Doppler in premature babies and its clinical correlation. Also, to evaluate the possible use of determining cerebral blood flow for predicting prognosis and outcome at the end of the study.

Methods: A total of 60 preterm babies born prior to 37 weeks of gestation and those with abnormal neurological presentations were included in this study. Neurosonogram was carried out within 72 hours of life.

Results: The commonest clinical manifestation in preterm babies in our study was seizures (10%) and delayed cry (10%). Neurosonogram study performed within 3 days of birth showed abnormal neurosonogram findings in 6 babies and rest of the 54 babies showed normal neurosonogram study. The most common abnormality found on neurosonogram was germinal-matrix haemorrahge, hydrocephalus, periventricular leukomalacia comprising 3% of cases each. In our study out of the 14 babies who suffered perinatal asphyxia 10 cases had low RI. Of the 2 babies with IVH and 2 babies with hydrocephalus, it was found that all the babies had increased RI.

Conclusion: Neurosonogram is the best initial method of investigation for preterm babies with suspected neurological injuries. It is best to perform neurosonogram studies on preterm babies within 1st week of birth. . It is non- invasive, non- ionising, widely available, cheap, and repeatable