Point of Care Lung Ultrasound in Neonatology

Abstract

Clinician-performed ultrasound enables a more accurate understanding of disease processes and prompt care implementation. Knowledge of lung ultrasound is of immense utility to clinicians in their day-to-day patient management, and in acute events, in the absence of specialist service back-up. This article examines the potential role of lung ultrasound in the neonatal intensive care unit on the basis of available human studies. Lung ultrasound has a definite potential of reducing/replacing X-rays in the management of pneumothorax, pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, and transient tachypnea of the newborn. In addition, it can reduce the use of chest X-ray and radiation exposure in neonatology.