Advancing neonatal care through standardized lung ultrasound implementation.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of standardized lung ultrasound (LUS) implementation in neonatal intensive care.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 172 neonates born at 23-32 weeks of gestation between 2021 and 2024. Two epochs were compared: before and after LUS implementation. Primary outcomes included X-ray exposure, respiratory support, and surfactant use; secondary outcomes included intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and sepsis.

RESULTS

LUS implementation reduced chest radiography by 52% and multiple exposures by 17% (p-value < 0.001). The need for mechanical ventilation rates decreased by 25% (p-value < 0.001), with no change in non-invasive support or surfactant use. LUS score independently predicted early surfactant administration (AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.95), increasing odds by 40% per point. No increase in adverse outcomes was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardized LUS significantly reduced chest radiography exposure and the need for mechanical ventilation, and facilitated early surfactant therapy.