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Am J Perinatol 2021; 38(02): 176-181
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1695776
Original Article

Prone versus Supine Position for Lung Ultrasound in Neonates with Respiratory Distress

Deepak Louis
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
,
Karen Belen
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
,
Mansoor Farooqui
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
,
Nnanake Idiong
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
,
Reem Amer
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
,
Abrar Hussain
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
,
Yasser ElSayed
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective To study the feasibility of lung ultrasound (LUS) in prone position and to compare it with supine position in neonates with respiratory distress.

Study Design Neonates ≥ 29 weeks of gestational age with respiratory distress requiring respiratory support within first 12 hours of life were enrolled prospectively. First LUS (fLUS) was done in the position infant was nursed (supine or prone), infant’s position changed, a second LUS (sLUS) was performed immediately and a third LUS (tLUS) was done 1 to 2 hours later. Primary outcome was the comparison of LUS scores (LUSsc) between fLUS and sLUS.

Results Sixty-four neonates were enrolled. Common respiratory diagnoses were transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN; 53%) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; 41%). LUSsc was different between fLUS and sLUS (fLUSsc 6 [interquatile range: 4, 7] vs. sLUSsc 7 [4, 10], p < 0.001), while there was no difference between the fLUS and tLUS (fLUSsc 6 [4, 7] vs. tLUSsc 5 [3, 7], p = 0.43). Subgroup analysis confirmed similar findings in neonates with TTN, while in babies with RDS, all the three LUSsc were similar.

Conclusion LUS is feasible in prone position in neonates. LUS scores were higher immediately after a change in position but were similar to baseline 1 hour after the change in position.

Keywords

lung ultrasound - supine - prone - neonate

Authors' Contributions

D.L. conceptualized the study, enrolled neonates and performed lung ultrasound studies, drafted the first draft of the manuscript, and provided overall supervision for the study. Y.E. performed blinded scoring of the ultrasound studies and provided supervision for the study. K.B., M.F., R.A., N.I., and A.H. enrolled neonates and performed lung ultrasound studies. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.




Publication History

Received: 15 March 2019

Accepted: 16 July 2019

Article published online:
03 September 2019

© 2019. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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