Cerebral Blood Flow Assessment in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia With or Without Neonatal Pneumonia in Preterm Infants

Motivation: Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are prone to lung infections, such as pneumonia, due to structural and functional abnormalities. Recurrent pneumonia can exacerbate lung inflammation and worsen BPD. Goal(s): This study investigates the value of 3D-ASL in assessing cerebral hemodynamics in preterm infants with BPD, with or without neonatal pneumonia (NP). Approach: We compared cerebral blood flow (CBF) values across different brain regions among BPD-NP, BPD, and control groups, evaluating CBF's predictive ability for disease diagnosis and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Results: Infants with BPD showed increased CBF, negatively correlating with CDCC scores, with combined CBF values demonstrating optimal diagnostic performance. Impact: This study examined changes in cerebral blood flow in preterm infants with or without neonatal pneumonia using 3D-ASL. The findings may enhance clinical management and care for vulnerable populations affected by lung and brain diseases.