Lung ultrasound in early prediction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in pre-term babies

PurposeBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a respiratory morbidity related to prematurity. Early prediction of BPD allows the selection of patients who would benefit from new therapies. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that has proven to be reliable for many neonatal diseases recently. The study aimed to detect the role of LUS in predicting BPD at days 7 and 14 of life in preterm babies. MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study that included 95 preterm babies <= 34 weeks. Lung ultrasounds were performed on days 7 and 14 of life. ResultsThe mean gestational age of the studied neonates was 30.25 +/- 2.21 weeks. The mean birth weight was 1347.66 +/- 432.14 gm. Patients who developed BPD had statistically significantly higher LUS scores on both days 7 and 14 of life. At first examination, a LUS score > 8 showed a sensitivity of 83.33% and a specificity of 60.87%, whereas at follow-up, a LUS score > 8 showed a sensitivity of 76.39% and a specificity of 82.61%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that the most important factors associated with BPD were gestational age <= 30 weeks, LUS score at first examination > 8, platelets <= 245 x 109/L, segment neutrophils <= 42%, and CRP > 5 mg/l. ConclusionsThe LUS score predicts BPD at 7 and 14 days of life. LUS scores increased with increasing BPD severity. LUS score > 8 was an independent factor in the prediction of BPD.