The hemodynamic effects of dobutamine were studied by non invasive techniques in 6 full term neonates with severe perinatal asphyxia. At 10 micrograms/kg/min, dobutamine significantly increased the cardiac output, the heart rate and the aortic blood flow velocity. The mean arterial pressure increased but not significantly and the stroke volume remained unchanged. These changes seem to be dose dependent. The increase of cardiac output may be due to a chronotropic and inotropic effect of dobutamine. Dobutamine seems to be an effective agent for the treatment of low cardiac output in asphyxiated neonates.