Lung ultrasonography for the diagnosis of meconium aspiration syndrome of the newborn infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of lung ultrasonography for meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).Methods From August 2014 to October 2015,a total of 67 cases of MAS patients were included in this study based on the medical history,typical clinical symptoms and chest X ray findings.The control group comprised 100 neonates without pulmonary disease.In a resting state,each patient was placed in a supine,lateral recumbent,or prone position.Using the anterior and posterior axillary lines as boundaries,each side of the lung was divided into 3 regionsanterior,lateral and posterior.The probe was held perpendicular or parallel to the ribs,and each region of both sides of the lung was scanned.Results In this study,the main lung ultrasonographic findings in MAS patients were as follows(1) Lung consolidation with air bronchograms,which was found in all patients.Generally,the large area of lung consolidation with irregular margins was seen in severe MAS patients while the small area of lung consolidation was seen in mild patients.(2) Pleural line anomalies and the disappearance of the A-lines,which were found in all patients.(3) Atelectasis,which was found in 12 severe cases(17.9％),with severe massive atelectasis and visible lung pulse.(4) Pleural effusion,which was found in 9 cases (13.4％) including mild or severe patients.(5) Alveolar-interstitial syndrome (AIS) or B-line in the non-consolidation area was found in all patients.Conclusions There were specific imaging findings in lung ultrasound in MAS patients.Lung ultrasonography can be used for the routine diagnosis of MAS because of its accuracy,reliability,low-cost and simplicity,no risk of radiation damage as well as it is convenience to observe and understand the dynamic changes of the patients' condition timely.