ABSTRACT
Objective To observe ultrasonographic features and significance of scoring of the lung in preterm infants.Methods Totally 37 preterm infants (preterm group) and 33 term infants (term group) without cardiopulmonary disease nor hypoproteinemia were enrolled,and infants in each group were divided into＜1 week,1-4 weeks and ＞4 weeks subgroup,respectively.All the infants underwent lung ultrasonography and scoring.The ultrasonography scores were compared between preterm infants and term infants among different ages.Results The main ultrasonic manifestations of the lung in preterm infants were diffuse distribution of dense B-lines,with or without " falls sign" suggesting alveolar effusion.The ultrasonographic score of the lung in preterm infants and term infants was (15.24± 2.76) and (12.21 ±3.62),respectively (t=3.962,P＜0.001).There was no statistical difference of ultrasonographyic scores in ＜1 week subgroups between preterm infants and term infants (t =-0.669,P =0.513).There were statistical differences of ultrasonographic scores in 1-4 weeks subgroups and ＞4 weeks subgroups between preterm group and term group (both P＜0.05).In preterm group,the ultrasonographic scores demonstrated no statistical difference among 3 subgroups (F=0.960,P=0.393),whereas statistical difference was found among 3 subgroups in term group (F =4.277,P =0.023).The ultrasonographic score of preterm infants showed negative correlation with gestational age (r=-0.352,P=0.033),and the linear regressive equation was Y=33.805-0.548X.Conclusion The main ultrasonic manifestations of the lung in preterm infants were diffuse distribution of dense B-lines,some with "falls sign" suggesting alveolar effusion,which are more significant in smaller gestational age infants.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the value of lung ultrasound scores ( LUS ) combined with echocardiography for evaluation of the state of preterm neonatal respiratory distress syndrome ( RDS ). Methods Lung ultrasound and echocardiography were conducted on 43 preterm newborns with RDS. The echocardiographic parameter included the area and velocity of tricuspid regurgitation, patent ductus arteriosus ( PDA ) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( PASP ). Correlational analyses of LUS and PASP,or X-ray grading were conducted. LUS difference was compared between the groups with PDA and without PDA. Results ① There was positive correlations between LUS and PASP ( r ＝ 0.647, P ＜0.05),LUS and X-ray grade ( r ＝0.770, P ＜0.05). ②LUS was significant different in different X-ray grade( F ＝ 31.460, P ＜ 0.05). ③ Significant difference was found between the groups with PDA and without PDA( t ＝3.08, P ＜0.05). Conclusions LUS combined with echocardiography can be used as an effective method for early diagnosis,condition assessment and prognosis of RDS,and it is more direct,fast and without radiation.