Continuous measurement of cerebral blood volume and oxygenation during rewarming of neonates.

Aim: To investigate the effect of rewarming in preterm infants presenting with hypothermia at admission. Methods: The tissue oxygenation index (TOI), changes in cerebral blood volume (ACBV) and changes in intravascular oxygenation (AHbD) were measured in eight preterm infants, presenting with a temperature less than 35°C at admission. Results: A significant increase in HbD and TOI was seen in four patients (group A), while a significant increase in CBV and a decrease in HbD was seen in four other patients (group B). Retrospective analysis showed that group A had important signs of peripartal asphyxia. Conclusion: While infants with peripartal asphyxia showed an important increase in oxygenation during rewarming, no significant changes were seen in the non-asphyxiated infants.