Pulmonary ultrasonography in the follow-up of respiratory distress syndrome on preterm newborns. Reduction of X-ray exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most common cause of respiratory failure in preterm neonates, whose lungs are often immature. The diagnosis and follow-up are based on clinical and radiographic findings. Due to the problem of air artifacts, ultrasonography (US) is not used routinely in the diagnosis of lung diseases. However, when the alveolar air content decreases, as it does in RDS, characteristic patterns appear that can be observed during US lung examinations. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of chest radiographs in neonates with RDS could be reduced by the routine use of chest US for follow-up examinations.

Materials and methods

From April through September 2008, were enrolled all preterm newborns, with very low birth weight (VLBW

SUBMITTER: Federici M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3558044 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature