OBJECTIVE:To describe peculiarities of the neonatal mesenteric circulation and to characterize the susceptibility factors to the development of gastrointestinal illnesses and alterations of the superior mesenteric artery flow by the Doppler ultrasound method. DATA SOURCES: Textbooks and publications listed in Medline and SciELO from the last 20 years were searched using the key-words: "mesenteric artery", "intestinal superior mesenteric artery", "newborn circulation", "necrotizing enterocolitis", and "Doppler flow velocimetry". DATA SYNTHESIS: Alterations in the mesenteric flow are predisposing factors for necrotizing enterocolitis, which is a neonatal illness with high morbidity and mortality that occurs mainly in premature infants. The mesenteric circulation is peculiar at the neonatal period regarding its baseline status as well as its response from physiological stimulation. Mesenteric irrigation varies according to the proper phase of intestinal vascular development. Mesenteric irrigation can be damaged by perinatal factors, such as placental insufficiency, asphyxia, infection, umbilical catheters, drugs (indomethacin and caffeine), phototherapy, artificial feeding and fast diet progression. Doppler flow velocimetry allows the study of gut irrigations and may quantify blood flow and vascular resistance. The exam can predict risk situations for gastrointestinal illnesses during the neonatal period. CONCLUSIONS: The newborn infant presents peculiarities on gastrointestinal blood circulation. Superior mesenteric artery Doppler ultrasound provides non-invasive measures of the intestinal circulatory conditions.
splanchnic circulation; mesenteric artery; superior; enterocolitis; necrotizing; ultrasonics; infant, newborn