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Utility of prenatal Doppler ultrasound to predict neonatal impaired cerebral autoregulation

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 474–481 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

Determine if abnormal prenatal Doppler ultrasound indices are predictive of postnatal impaired cerebral autoregulation.

Study design

Prospective cohort study of 46 subjects, 240–296 weeks’ gestation. Utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy and receiver-operating characteristic analysis, impaired cerebral autoregulation was defined as >16.5% time spent in a dysregulated state within 96 h of life. Normal and abnormal Doppler indices were compared for perinatal outcomes.

Results

Subjects with abnormal cerebroplacental ratio (n = 12) and abnormal umbilical artery pulsatility index (n = 13) were likely to develop postnatal impaired cerebral autoregulation (p ≤ 0.02). Abnormal cerebroplacental ratio was associated with impaired cerebral autoregulation between 24 and 48 h of life (p = 0.016). These subjects have increased risk for fetal growth restriction, lower birth weight, lower Apgar scores, acidosis, and severe intraventricular hemorrhage and/or death (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Abnormal cerebroplacental ratio and umbilical artery pulsatility index are associated with postnatal impairment in cerebral autoregulation and adverse outcome.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Rose Viscardi and Dr. Natalie Davis at the University of Maryland (Division of Neonatology) for their valuable expertise and guidance throughout this study. Funding for this study was provided by a grant from the Mentored Population and Clinical Research Program of the American Heart Association.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatrics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Sruthi R. Polavarapu & Suma B. Hoffman

  2. Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Garrett D. Fitzgerald & Stephen Contag

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  1. Sruthi R. Polavarapu
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Correspondence to Sruthi R. Polavarapu.

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Polavarapu, S.R., Fitzgerald, G.D., Contag, S. et al. Utility of prenatal Doppler ultrasound to predict neonatal impaired cerebral autoregulation. J Perinatol 38, 474–481 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0050-x

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