Transcranial Doppler in the newborn with asphyxia.

Transcranial Doppler of infants suffering hypoxia-ischemia may demonstrate high diastolic flow in the early postasphyxial and hyperemic phase of the insult. This increase in diastolic flow decreases the resistive index. The use of the resistive index to quickly assess the infant at the bedside may become more important with the advent of newer neuroprotective strategies.