Prognostic value of resistive index (measured in anterior cerebral artery) in term neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia refers to a condition during the first and second stage of labor and soon after birth in which impaired gas exchange leads to acidosis, hypoxemia, and hypercarbia. The Doppler technique is a non-invasive method that can be used at the bed side without disturbing patients, for risk of subsequent neurodevelopment impairment in HIE. It has been proven that impaired cerebral circulation plays the main role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic ischemic brain injury in neonates. Methods: Doppler sonography conducted in all enrolled subjects. Cerebral blood flow parameters-peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity and resistive index were measured in anterior cerebral artery bilaterally on parasagittal planes obtaining the images through the anterior fontanelle with in first 72 hours. Results: In our study we found that death during hospital stay in neonates with normal RI and abnormal RI is 13% and 28.6% respectively (p<0.01). Abnormal neurological outcome of 70.6% at 6 months and 64.7% at 12 months in patients with abnormal RI and 23.3% at 6 months and 18.6% at 12 months in patients with normal RI (p<0.01). Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between neurodevelopmental disabilities and cerebral blood flow parameters in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Detection of increased or decreased in cerebral blood flow velocities in neonates with in first 72 hours postpartum has a significant prognostic value related to death and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome.