Article Text
Research Article
Effect of feeding on jugular venous blood flow in the normal newborn infant.
Abstract
Jugular venous occlusion plethysmography was used to measure jugular blood flow in 47 infants; this was done at varying times after the end of a feed. Jugular blood flow was found to be lower, by about 30%, during the first postprandial half hour than at any other time up to 2 hours postprandially. In 2 infants longitudinal studies were performed in relation to several feeds, and postprandial reductions in blood flow of a similar magnitude were found. Aspects of the venous occlusion technique are discussed. It is concluded that feeding in healthy neonates is associated with a subsequent reduction in jugular blood flow, and possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are discussed.