Effect of feeding on jugular venous blood flow in the normal newborn infant.

Jugular venous occlusion plethysmography was used to measure jugular blood flow in 47 infants; this was done at varying times after the end of a feed. Jugular blood flow was found to be lower, by about 30%, during the first postprandial half hour than at any other time up to 2 hours postprandially. In 2 infants longitudinal studies were performed in relation to several feeds, and postprandial reductions in blood flow of a similar magnitude were found. Aspects of the venous occlusion technique are discussed. It is concluded that feeding in healthy neonates is associated with a subsequent reduction in jugular blood flow, and possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are discussed.