Lung ultrasound as early diagnostic tool in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Aim of the work: To study the value of lung ultrasound as early diagnostic tool in RDS. Subjects and methods: Forty preterm neonatal patients were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Madina national hospital suffering from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Diagnosis of RDS was based on clinical features, radiographic findings and arterial blood gases analysis. All patients were subjected to full maternal history including: age, parity, gravidity, and previous abortions, still births, neonatal deaths, and acute and/or chronic medical problems, thorough clinical examination including weight, length, head circumference and abdominal circumference, vital signs, systemic (neurological, cardiovascular and abdominal) and local examination, pulse oximetry, Down score at first 6 h of life. Laboratory investigations (complete blood count, C-reactive protein, random blood sugar, Blood culture, arterial blood gases, kidney and liver function, Serum electrolytes, plain chest X-ray (P.A. and lateral views) and chest ultrasound) were performed. Results: A significant correlation was found between ultrasound and radiographic assessments of RDS but ultrasound tends to overestimate the diagnosis. From our study ultrasonography can be used as a diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of RDS and to follow up the effect of treatment. Conclusions: Chest ultrasound cannot replace standard chest X ray in diagnosing potential causes of neonatal respiratory failure because of its tendency to over-diagnose RDS, but useful for excluding RDS and as a screening method for diagnosis of RDS