LASER DOPPLER MEASUREMENT OF SKIN BLOOD FLOW IN NEWBORN INFANTS

Abstract

It has previously been very difficult to determine the role of skin blood flow in temperature regulation and water balance. Measurement of skin blood flow in newborn infants has earlier been possible only on peripheral parts of the body and with methods that may disturb the infant and probably also influence the skin blood flow. The laser Doppler technique has made it possible to measure skin blood flow on both central and peripheral parts of the body without discomfort to the infant.In order to investigate the role of skin blood flow in the heat and water balance of newborn infants we measured skin blood flow in the scapular skin area with a He-Ne laser Doppler flowmeter. The infants were fullterm and appropriate for gestational age.In one series of measurements the incubator temperature was kept above the thermoneutral zone and the skin blood flow, evaporation of water from the skin and body, skin and ambient temperatures were recorded. In another series measurements of the same variables were made before and after removing vernix caseosa from the skin surface. As the skin blood flow of infants was studied in a warm incubator an unheated measurement probe was used.The most important results from these studies were that, in calm infants’ skin blood flow decreases during the first three hours after birth, and that the infants’ skin blood flow increases with increasing activity. In infants nursed in a warm environment skin blood flow increases when the infants’ body temperature rises. In infants who sweat feeding of a glucose solution with a temperature of 10°C causes a sudden decrease in skin blood flow. Washing the infants’ skin with a mild detergent solution increases the skin blood flow during the following hour.