OBJECTIVETo evaluate the hemodynamic changes in the central branches of the middle cerebral artery in different stages of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and provide new evidence for clinical diagnosis of HIE.

METHODSFrom March, 2013 to July, 2013, a total of 136 newborn infants were diagnosed to have HIE in our center. We performed two-dimensional ultrasonography and color Doppler ultrasound for assessments of systolic velocity (Vs) and resistant index (RI) of the central branches of the middle cerebral artery. The data were compared with the results of a control group consisting of 251 normal full-term infants.

RESULTSInfants with mild HIE showed hyperechoic changes in the white matter around the ventricle, while in moderate and severe HIE, such hyperechoic changes were diffuse in both hemispheres with unclear echoes of the brain structures. Pulse Doppler assessments of hemodynamics of the central branches of the middle cerebral artery demonstrated a significant decrease in Vs and an increase in RI regardless of HIE severity (P<0.05). In addition, Vs and RI values in mild HIE infants differed significantly (P<0.05) from those in infants with moderate and severe HIE, who had comparable Vs and RI values (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONTranscranial ultrasonography may provide dynamic information on cerebral blood flow in neonates and hemodynamic parameters of the central branches of the middle cerebral artery are valuable for clinical diagnosis and early intervention of HIE.