Transcranial Doppler evaluation of cerebral hemodynamic alteration in preterms with early onset neonatal sepsis

To evaluate the cerebral blood flow and the cerebral hemodynamic alteration by Doppler ultrasound in preterms with early onset-neonatal sepsis. Total forty two preterms divided into two groups whether with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) or not. Both groups assessed with Doppler Ultrasound of the anterior (ACA) and middle (MCA) cerebral arteries, with the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistivity index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) calculation and recording. Statistically significant lower RI (p: .0001), lower PI (p: .0001) in both the ACA and MCA in the group with neonatal sepsis, in comparison with the group with no clinical evidence of neonatal sepsis. Study results showed vasodilatation and reduced resistance in the cerebral arteries in preterms with early onset neonatal sepsis. •Neonatal sepsis is a major morbidity of the neonatal ICUs.•Investigation of its effects over the whole body, including the brain is essential.•We studied the effect of the sepsis on the neonatal cerebral circulation.•Doppler ultrasound was used to assess the cerebral circulation in septic neonates.•Vasodilatation and reduced resistivity indices of the cerebral arteries were found.