Neonatal cerebral oxygenation is not linked to foetal vasculitis and predicts intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm infants

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the cerebral tissue oxygenation index (c‐TOI) measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in infants with and without foetal vasculitis. Methods: Twenty‐four infants with placental signs of a foetal inflammatory response (FIR), foetal vasculitis, were compared with 39 controls. NIRS examination was done within the first 24 h. Results: Infants with FIR had a significant lower gestational age (26.8 ± 2.4 vs. 29.8 ± 2.4 weeks' gestation; p < 0.01), Hb (9.4 ± 1.2 vs. 10.9 ± 1.5 mM; p < 0.01) and blood PCO2 (5.5 ± 0.8 vs. 6.3 ± 1.1 kPa, p < 0.01) compared to controls. There was no significant difference in arterial blood pressure, inspiratory oxygen content, needs of mechanical ventilation or c‐TOI (73.6 ± 8.1% vs. 73.9 ± 8.1% (p = 0.9)). The effect of FIR on c‐TOI was −0.3% (95% CI −3.9 to 4.5%). This result was not affected by inclusion of potential confounders in the analysis. Eight infants subsequently developed intra/periventricular haemorrhage: four with minor lesions and four with severe lesions. There was a significant negative correlation between the severity of the intraventricular haemorrhage and the cerebral oxygenation (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Cerebral oxygenation was not affected in the first day of life in preterm infants born with foetal vasculitis, while cerebral oxygenation in infants that later developed intraventricular haemorrhage was impaired.