The values of mesenteric and celiac arterial blood flow parameters in healthy preterm newborns

Abstract

Background: Mesenteric and celiac arterial blood flow parameters may be useful in the diagnosis of abdominal complaints. In differential diagnosis necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) should always be considered, especially in preterms infants. Incidence of this disease comes to 2.5/1000 live births, but mortality reaches 20-50%. Early diagnosis is of great importance in early stages of NEC, to avoid surgical treatment and peritonitis. It may decrease mortality in this group of patients and improve further quality of life. The aim of the study was to evaluate values of mesenteric and celiac arterial blood flow assessment during abdominal ultrasonography in healthy preterms. Method: Study group consists of 50 healthy preterms. Ultrasound of the abdomen was performed in all newborns and blood flow in superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and celiac artery (CA) was assessed: peak systolic velocity (PSV), pulsation index (PI) and resistance index (RI). Results: Mean values were obtained: SMA PSV= 58 cm/s (range 32.3-84.2 cm/s); CA PSV = 56 cm/s (range 14,3-126,0 cm/s), SMA PI = 2.0 (range 1.21-4.52); CA PI = 1.65 (range 0.66-3.13); SMA RI = 0.86 (range 0.71-1,11); CA RI = 0.79 (range 0.5-1.13). Conclusions: These measurements are physiological values for a group of preterm infants and might become reference values and be useful in the diagnosis of NEC.