Factors that influence mesenteric artery blood flow velocity in newborn preterm infants

Objectives: To identify demographic and clinical variables that relate to the postnatal increase in intestinal blood flow velocity in preterm infants. Study design: Fasting or preprandial peak systolic velocity (PSV) and time-averaged mean velocity (TAMV) in the superior mesenteric artery were measured once each day for the first 5 days of life. We investigated the relationship between blood flow velocity and the following variables: birth weight, gestational age, feeding volumes, number of days to reach full feeding volumes, type of feeding given, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) administration and hyperalimentation (HAL) administration. Results: Twenty-five infants with a mean birth weight of 1740 g and mean gestational age of 31.8 weeks were studied. There were significant increases in PSV ( P