An Adaptation of the Nitrous Oxide Method to the Study of the Cerebral Circulation in Children; Normal Values for Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebral Metabolic Rate in Childhood1

Abstract

The nitrous oxide method for measuring cerebral blood flow has been adapted for use in normal children without requirement for sedation. On comparing the modified procedure with the original in adults, all cerebral circulatory functions were comparable except that the cerebral O2 consumption was slightly but significantly higher. In a group of normal children cerebral blood flow and cerebral O2 consumption were significantly higher than in adults while the cerebral vascular resistence was significantly lower.