Lung Ultrasound Scores Predict the Respiratory Support Needs of Late Preterm and Term Neonates with Transient Tachypnea

 We aimed to test the hypothesis that using lung ultrasound (LUS) to assess the severity of transient tachypnea in newborns can predict the mode of respiratory support that will be needed.

 We conducted a prospective study on late-preterm and term infants at more than 34 weeks of gestation. LUS was performed on admission by an investigator, and basic demographic data, LUS scores, respiratory mode and parameters were measured after admission. A receiver operator curve was utilized to assess the ability to predict the respiratory mode that would be needed. A correlation analysis was performed between the LUS scores and the artery blood gas results.

 The mean age at the first LUS examination was 1.22 ± 0.81 hours on admission. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were revealed among the three groups in the left anterior area, right lateral area, left lateral area and total LUS scores. The LUS scores in the NRS group were lower than those in the other groups. The infants with NIV and MV were more likely to have higher LUS scores (P < 0.05). The LUS scores were negatively correlated with the PaO2 results (r = -0.25, P = 0.073), positively correlated with the PaCO2 results (r = 0.41, P = 0.003), and significantly correlated with SaO2 (r = 0.35, P = 0.015). LUS scores of > 6 (AUC = 0.85, P < 0.001) show the requirement of respiratory support in newborns.

 We conclude that LUS scores are correlated with the severity of transient tachypnea of the newborn and can predict an infant’s required respiratory support.