Comparison of Doppler parameters of central versus intraparenchymal renal arteries in physiologically normal newborns.
BACKGROUND
Changes in renal arterial Doppler flow may identify parenchymal disease, but in newborns knowledge of normal physiological parameters is a prerequisite for correct interpretation.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate renal blood flow in healthy newborns by means of Doppler US.


METHODS
On the fourth day of life we examined 100 normal term newborn infants (200 kidneys). Blood flow in the central renal arteries was compared with that in the intraparenchymal arteries. Maximum systolic velocity ( V(max)), end-diastolic velocity ( V(ed)), mean flow velocity ( V(mean)), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were assessed.


RESULTS
All parameters were significantly higher in the central renal arteries than in the intraparenchymal arteries (RI 0.78+/-0.07 vs 0.62+/-0.05, P<0.0001; PI 1.84+/-0.52 vs 1.09+/-0.18, P<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Physiological data are presented that are necessary for the correct interpretation of neonatal Doppler US.
Stavel
Miroslav
M
Neonatology Clinic, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Kollarova 2, 036 59 Martin, Slovak Republic. stavel@lefa.sk
Zibolen
Mirko
M
Kolarovszka
Hana
H
Murgas
Dalibor
D
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014655:Vascular Resistance