Splanchnic haemodynamic disturbances in perinatal sepsis

Aim-To determine the effect of perinatal bacterial infection on the neonata l splanchnic circulation. Subjects/Setting-76 premature infants with appropriate birth weight for ges tation admitted for neonatal intensive care. Methods-Doppler ultrasound was used to measure blood flow velocity and puls atility index in the superior mesenteric artery and coeliac axis during the first 24 hours of life. Babies were classified according to the results of blood and surface cultures, as well as the presence or absence of maternal prolonged membrane rupture. Results-Infection status had a significant effect on pulsatility index in b oth arteries, with that in the coeliac axis being reduced from 1.27 to 0.80 in babies with infection (p < 0.0001). Coeliac axis blood flow velocity wa s significantly increased in those with infection (from 34.6 to 46.5 cm/s; p < 0.05). Conclusion-As early as the first day of postnatal life, infected neonates s how a pattern of splanchnic hyperaemia similar to that found in adult syste mic inflammatory response syndrome.