Application of a modified lung ultrasound score in assessing the severity of neonatal pneumonia: a multicenter prospective study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective To evaluate a modified twelve-zone lung ultrasound (LUS) scoring system for diagnosing neonatal pneumonia and assessing disease severity. Methods In this multicenter prospective study (January 2023–02tober 2024), 160 neonates with pneumonia underwent both LUS and chest X-ray. Diagnostic performance (AUC, sensitivity, specificity) was compared, and correlations between LUS indicators (B-lines, consolidation area, pleural line abnormalities) and clinical outcomes (respiratory distress scores, PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio) were analyzed using multivariate regression. Results LUS demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy to X-ray (AUC: 0.93 vs. 0.83; sensitivity 94.0 vs. 78.5%, specificity 88.5 vs. 78.5%, both P < 0.05). B-line reduction correlated with improved respiratory distress scores ( r = 0.856, P < 0.001), and consolidation area reduction correlated with PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio improvement ( r = 0.801, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified B-line count (OR = 1.154), consolidation area (OR = 2.962), pleural line abnormalities (OR = 6.408), and CRP (OR = 1.102) as independent severity predictors ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The modified twelve-zone LUS system accurately diagnoses neonatal pneumonia, quantifies severity, and dynamically monitors treatment efficacy, offering a radiation-free alternative to X-ray for clinical practice.
Source: Frontiers in Medicine
Authors: Jiang Cheng, Hui Ge, Yunlu Huang
Institution: Nanjing University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4417479374