[Doppler ultrasound in necrotizing enterocolitis].

10 patients with clinical signs for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) underwent doppler sonography of the superior mesenteric artery. Five of them, who proved to suffer from NEC, sonographically showed elevated systolic velocity and diminished resistance index. The other 5 patients with negative laboratory findings and negative abdominal plain film showed normal flow patterns in the superior mesenteric artery. We therefore believe, that color doppler sonography can improve the diagnostic workup of newborns suspicious of NEC.