Diagnostics (Oct 2024)

Lung Ultrasound Assessment of Regional Distribution of Pulmonary Edema and Atelectasis in Infants with Evolving Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

  • Jimikumar Patel,
  • Barry Weinberger,
  • Margaret Pulju,
  • Stephanie G. Galanti,
  • Gangajal Kasniya,
  • Venkata Gupta,
  • Dalibor Kurepa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14202341
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 20
p. 2341

Abstract

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Background: Preterm infants are at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) due to prolonged respiratory support. Studies have described differences in the regional distribution of lung ventilation (non-dependent (NDL) vs. dependent (DL)). The aim of this study was to use LUS to compare regional distribution of pulmonary edema and atelectasis in infants with evolving BPD. Methods: We prospectively performed LUS in premature infants with evolving BPD. On each side, three lung areas (NDL/anterior, lateral, and DL/posterior) were examined for the presence of pulmonary edema and atelectasis. Pulmonary edema scores were assigned based on the number of B-lines, and atelectasis scores were assigned based on the presence/absence of atelectasis. Results: 38 premature infants were enrolled. The NDL showed more pulmonary edema and atelectasis compared to the DL (p = 0.003, p = 0.049, respectively) and compared to the lateral lung (p =p = 0.004, respectively). There was no difference between the lateral and DL (p = 0.188, p = 0.156, respectively). There was no difference between the right and the left lung (p = 0.223, p = 0.656, respectively). Conclusions: In this cohort of preterm infants with evolving BPD, lung disease was unevenly distributed, with more pulmonary edema and atelectasis in the NDL regions compared to the DL or lateral regions.

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