Intestinal motility in extremely preterm infants Introducing: Ultra high-frequency ultrasound
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INTESTINAL MOTILITY IN EXTREMELY PRETERM INFANTS INTRODUCING: ULTRA HIGH-FREQUENCY ULTRASOUND Abstract Title: Intestinal motility in extremely preterm infants. Introducing: Ultra high-frequency ultrasound. Author, year: Alexander Lönn, 2018 Supervisor: Anders Elfvin, Department of Pediatrics, Gothenburg, Sweden Co-supervisor: Frida Dangardt, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden Background Extremely preterm birth is defined as any birth before week 28+0 and equals greater risk to suffer from postnatal complications. Development of vital functions such as intestinal motility and permeability are immature. Aim The aim was to introduce a brand new examining method using abdominal ultra highfrequency ultrasound (UHFUS), and to determine its usefulness regarding intestinal motility and inflammation. Method UHFUS was introduced as a brand new examining method. Four preterm infants were enrolled in a pilot study to test the method. Result The intestinal motility in extremely preterm infants is not fully developed at birth. UHFUS can image intestinal villi and signs of intestinal inflammation. The thickness of the peritoneum and intestinal wall can be measured with great precision. It was possible to discern intestinal motility, but the numbers of contractions were not easily measured. Conclusion Intestinal motility is immature in extremely preterm infants.