Pilot Study of Lung Ultrasound-Guided Respiratory Care in Premature Infants

Pilot Study of Lung Ultrasound-Guided Respiratory Care in Premature Infants

Lung Ultrasound-Guided Respiratory Management in Premature Infants: A Single-Center Feasibility Pilot Study

medical-cross
Respiratory diseases
user
All genders
person-wave 0-1
world
Recruiting now
More information  

Overview
Principal Investigator: Ann Chacko

Premature infants often require breathing support because their lungs are still developing. This pilot study is evaluating the feasibility of using lung ultrasound to help guide respiratory care decisions in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Lung ultrasound is a bedside, noninvasive imaging technique that does not use radiation. Infants enrolled in the study will receive either usual respiratory care or care guided by lung ultrasound findings. This study will help determine whether lung ultrasound-guided respiratory management can be successfully incorporated into NICU care and provide information to support future research.

Study details
Inclusion Criteria
  • Preterm neonates admitted to Tufts Medical Center NICU with respiratory distress less than 30 weeks gestational age.
  • Requiring positive pressure respiratory support within first 24 hours of life and still requiring respiratory support.
  • Parental/guardian informed consent obtained
Exclusion Criteria
  • Major congenital anomalies
  • Known chromosomal abnormalities
  • Neonates considered non-viable before enrollment
Study Requirements

Enrolled infants will participate in the study during their NICU hospitalization and will be randomly assigned to either standard respiratory care or respiratory care guided by lung ultrasound findings. Infants assigned to the lung ultrasound group will have bedside lung ultrasound examinations performed using a small ultrasound probe placed on the infant’s chest.

Participation involves collection of clinical information from the infant’s medical record, including respiratory support needs, treatments, and outcomes. No additional blood collections or imaging studies beyond standard of care are required for this study.