[The importance of Doppler echocardiography in the differential diagnosis of causes of neonatal cyanosis]

Abstract

The authors report 329 dopplerechocardiographic examinations performed on 167 term and preterm newborn babies presenting cyanosis. Seventy-six congenital heart defects were detected among their patients, 12 of whom were operated without heart catheterization, according to the ultrasound finding. The diagnosis of ten inoperable heart diseases established without hemodynamic examination was confirmed by autopsy. Cyanosis due to cardiac and pulmonary abnormalities without congenital heart defect was diagnosed in 38 patients. Persistent ductus arteriosus was found in 45 very lowbirth-weight premature babies. Doppler echocardiography proved to be a major advance in the differential diagnosis of newborn cyanosis and in choosing appropriate therapy.