Transcranial Doppler ultrasound for diagnosing newborn brain injuries

Diagnostic Value of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound for Evaluating Neonatal Craniocerebral Injuries

Kafrelsheikh University · NCT07322315

This project will test whether bedside transcranial Doppler ultrasound can detect blood-flow problems in high-risk newborns with suspected brain injury.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 37 Weeks
SexAll
SponsorKafrelsheikh University (other)
Locations1 site (Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafrelsheikh)
Trial IDNCT07322315 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will use transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) to record cerebral blood flow parameters in high-risk neonates admitted to a neonatal unit. TCD will be performed at the bedside, allowing repeated, time-resolved, noninvasive measurements without radiation or transport. Investigators will compare TCD findings with the infants' clinical signs (for example sepsis, encephalopathy, seizures, low Apgar scores) and routine diagnostic information to characterize diagnostic patterns. The study aims to describe how TCD signals correlate with neonatal craniocerebral injury and short-term clinical outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are high-risk neonates (term or preterm) in the NICU with conditions such as neonatal sepsis, encephalopathy or hypoxic-ischemic injury, respiratory distress, seizures, low Apgar scores, low birth weight, or other signs suggesting central nervous system compromise.

Not a fit: Infants with major congenital malformations, known genetic metabolic diseases, severe intrauterine infection, or otherwise stable newborns who do not meet high-risk criteria are unlikely to gain benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, TCD could provide a rapid, bedside, noninvasive way to identify neonatal cerebral blood-flow abnormalities and support earlier clinical decision-making.

How similar studies have performed: TCD is an established noninvasive method for monitoring cerebral blood flow and small neonatal studies have shown promising results, but larger validation for diagnostic use in neonatal brain injury is still limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Both sexes.
* High-risk neonates with any of the following:

  * Critically ill neonates.
  * Neonatal sepsis.
  * Neonatal encephalopathy includes hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
  * Respiratory distress.
  * Neonatal seizures.
  * Birth asphyxia.
  * Signs and or symptoms of central nervous system disorders like microcephaly, macrocephaly, hypotonia, unexplained poor feeding,
  * Neonates born out of traumatic/instrumental labor.
  * Suspected metabolic disturbances.
  * Neonates with low APGAR score (\<7).
  * Neonates with low birth weight (\<2.5 kg).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Congenital malformations.
* Genetic metabolic diseases or other severe complications.
* Severe intrauterine infection.

Where this trial is running

Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafrelsheikh

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Diagnostic Value, Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound, Neonatal Craniocerebral Injuries

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.