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Intestinal ultrasonography in infants with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy receiving hypothermia

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Abstract

Background

Infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) may develop multiorgan dysfunction, but assessment of intestinal involvement is imprecise and based on nonspecific clinical signs that may occur several days later. Ultrasound imaging has been described as a helpful tool in assessing intestinal involvement in many gastrointestinal disorders.

Objective

Describe abdominal ultrasonography findings in infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia and investigate its association with the severity of the hypoxic-ischemic insult and death.

Materials and methods

Studies were performed within the first 36 h of life to assess intestinal appearance (normal bowel, bowel wall echogenicity and thickness, and sloughed mucosa), free fluid, peristalsis and intramural perfusion. These findings were compared between infants with moderate and severe encephalopathy. Ultrasound findings were also categorized in three major groups and compared with markers of severity of the hypoxic-ischemic insult and with mortality.

Results

Nineteen infants with moderate and 9 with severe HIE at admission were studied (17.7 ± 9.5 h of life). Major ultrasonography findings were increased bowel wall echogenicity (78%), free fluid (75%), decreased or absent peristalsis (50%) and sloughing of the intestinal mucosa (21%). Abnormal intestinal findings such as increased bowel wall echogenicity in all quadrants and presence of sloughed mucosa were associated with more severe hypoxic-ischemic insult. All 12 patients with normal bowel appearance or increased bowel wall echogenicity restricted to only one quadrant survived, whereas 7/15 (47%) patients with increased bowel wall echogenicity in all four quadrants died during hospitalization. The presence of sloughed mucosa was associated with increased mortality (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia, a high prevalence of intestinal involvement was noted by using ultrasonographic assessment. An association between intestinal findings and severity of hypoxic-ischemic insult was observed. The presence of sloughed mucosa is a potential ultrasonographic sign of severity.

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Acknowledgments

Guilherme Sant’Anna is supported by funds from the Research Institute of the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Chatchay Prempunpong was funded by the Mahidol University and Montreal Children’s Hospital Alan Ross scholarship.

Conflicts of Interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3H 1P3, Canada

    Ricardo Faingold & Guilherme Cassia

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University, 2300 Tupper St., Room C912, Montreal, H3H 1P3, Canada

    Chatchay Prempunpong, Linda Morneault & Guilherme M. Sant’Anna

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Chatchay Prempunpong

Authors
  1. Ricardo Faingold
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  2. Guilherme Cassia
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  3. Chatchay Prempunpong
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  4. Linda Morneault
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  5. Guilherme M. Sant’Anna
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guilherme M. Sant’Anna.

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Faingold, R., Cassia, G., Prempunpong, C. et al. Intestinal ultrasonography in infants with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy receiving hypothermia. Pediatr Radiol 46, 87–95 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-015-3447-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-015-3447-0

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