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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Vrinda Nair
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
© The Author(s) 2025.Lung ultrasound (LUS) scores may predict surfactant need early and the progression of the respiratory course in preterm infants. The objective of this study is to report the diagnostic value of LUS scores performed by operators of varying levels of experience to predict the need for surfactant in preterm infants. A prospective observational study was conducted across 3 UK-based neonatal intensive care units. Preterm infants ≤ 34 weeks on non-invasive respiratory support within 3 h of birth were included. Ten lung zones were scored serially, first within the first 3 h of life, then at 12–24-h intervals (a total of four scans). All scans were performed by the local team members with formal training on LUS and varying levels of expertise. All the LUS videos were scored by an expert investigator who was blinded to clinical details. Written retrospective parental consents were obtained. We recruited 83 preterm infants ≤ 34 weeks (May 2023 to June 2024). A total of 325 LUS scans were performed by 27 clinical staff. The median birth gestational age and birth weight were 31 weeks and 1515 g, respectively. Twenty-eight (34%) babies received surfactants. The first LUS using a 6-zone method within 3 h of life predicted surfactant need and bronchopulmonary dysplasia with an AUC of 0.80 for both outcomes, offering sensitivity (79% and 73%) and specificity (75% and 76%), respectively. Conclusions: LUS performed by operators of varying levels of experience within the first 3 h of life is a reliable tool for predicting surfactant need in preterm infants ≤ 34 weeks. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/): NCT05782569. (Table presented.)
Author(s): Loganathan PK, Meau-Petit V, Bhojnagarwala B, Nair V, Holmes J, Occhipinti A, Montasser M
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Journal of Pediatrics
Year: 2025
Volume: 184
Issue: 6
Print publication date: 01/06/2025
Online publication date: 23/05/2025
Acceptance date: 12/05/2025
Date deposited: 02/06/2025
ISSN (print): 0340-6199
ISSN (electronic): 1432-1076
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-025-06185-7
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-025-06185-7
Data Access Statement: No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study
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