Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity in the newborn following delivery.

Ninety-five normally grown term and preterm newborns were examined to determine the means and prediction limits of cerebral blood flow velocity following delivery and to examine the relationship of systemic blood pressure to cerebral blood flow velocity. Doppler blood flow velocity was observed during the four days following delivery. Continuous measures of blood pressure and heart rate were recorded concurrently.

Mortality and morbidity after intrapartum asphyxia in the preterm fetus.

This matched cohort study examined the significance of intrapartum fetal asphyxia determined biochemically in the preterm newborn in regard to outcome during the first year. Thirty preterm newborns with metabolic acidosis at delivery were compared with 60 preterm newborns, matched for birth weight, with normal blood gas measures. Deaths during the first year were reviewed.

Hypotension and hypoxemia in the preterm newborn during the four days following delivery identify infants at risk of echosonographically demonstrable cerebral lesions.

This prospective study of 130 preterm newborns at less than 34 weeks gestational age has examined the predictive value of abnormalities in continuously recorded newborn blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen tension during the 4 d following delivery for echosonographically demonstrable cerebral lesions (EDCL) identified in the infant by six months corrected age. EDCL consisting of intraventricular hemorrhage, ventriculomegaly, or hyperechoic parenchymal lesions in the brain were identified in 44 preterm newborns (34%). The incidence of EDCL in preterm newborns with no hypotension or hypoxemia was 13%.

Blood pressure and heart rate of the preterm newborn following delivery.

Thirty-five preterm newborns were studied to determine the mean blood pressure and heart rate of preterm newborns less than 1500 gm and greater than or equal to 1500 gm at birth. Systemic blood pressure increased and heart rate decreased with increasing maturity at birth. Both systemic blood pressure and heart rate increased during the four days following delivery.

The association of intrapartum asphyxia in the mature fetus with newborn behavior.

A matched cohort study of mature newborns with biochemically determined intrapartum fetal asphyxia and mature newborns with normal blood gas and acid-base assessments at delivery were studied to demonstrate the effect of fetal asphyxia on newborn behavior as expressed by the Brazelton newborn behavioral assessment scale. The newborn behavioral assessment scale was administered 3 days after delivery and again 2 weeks after delivery. The Lester newborn behavioral assessment scale summary scores for the group with asphyxia were of the same order as those in the control group.