DUPLEX ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF GUT BLOOD-FLOW VELOCITY - EFFECT OF MEAL COMPOSITION IN NORMAL FULL-TERM NEWBORNS AFTER 1ST FEED

We used transcutaneous duplex Doppler ultrasound to measure superior m esenteric artery and celiac artery blood flow velocity in 45 normal he althy newborn infants. Doppler indices of PSV, TAMV, EDV, and PI were measured immediately before and after feeding at 15 minute intervals u p to 75 minutes. Maximal changes were compared with preprandial baseli ne values. There were no significant differences between the preprandi al and postprandial blood pressures and heart rates. In the superior m esenteric artery the PSV, TAMV, and EDV rose progressively and peaked 30 minutes after feeding in both the milk-fed group and the 5% glucose , water-fed group over baseline (73 versus 41% and 110 versus 63%, 130 versus 100%) (P < 0.05). The PI decreased significantly in the milk-f ed group only. There were no significant changes in any blood flow vel ocity parameters derived from the celiac artery. We conclude that dupl ex ultrasonography provides a noninvasive means of,studying the reacti vity of the splanchnic arterial circulation to different stimuli. The chemical composition of the meal is a significant factor determining p ostprandial mesenteric hyperemia.