POSTPRANDIAL HEMODYNAMIC CHANGES IN ABDOMINAL VESSELS OF HEALTHY CHILDREN

Aim. To characterize the response of the abdominal vessels to food load in healthy children and to determine the referent values of postprandial changes in the regional blood flow. Materials and methods. The Doppler investigation of the abdominal vessels before and 30 minutes after the standard breakfast with determination of their diameters, linear and volumetric rate indices, resistance index was performed in 44 healthy children aged 3-15 years. Results. During the postprandial phase, the dilatation of the superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk, hepatic and splenic arteries, portal vein and splenic veins was observed in healthy children. Increase in volumetric blood flow rate is revealed in all these vessels that reflects intensification of blood circulation in the abdominal organs. Conclusions. The character and degree of changes in hemodynamic parameters after food intake have no age differences in healthy children. Reference values of the postprandial blood flow changes in the abdominal vessels for children aged 3-15 years were obtained.