Evaluation of echocardiography on the neonatal unit

Area of Science:

• Neonatal cardiology
• Pediatric echocardiography
• Diagnostic imaging in neonatology

Background:

• Echocardiography use is increasing in neonatal units.
• Debate exists on whether neonatologists or pediatric cardiologists should perform echocardiograms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline echocardiogram indications.
• To determine the yield and range of findings.
• To assess changes in clinical management.
• To evaluate the reliability of echocardiography by neonatologists.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection of all neonatal unit echocardiograms.
• Analysis of indications, findings, and management changes.
• Comparison of echocardiograms performed by neonatologists and pediatric cardiologists.

Main Results:

• 157 echocardiograms performed on 82 infants.
• Identified structural, trivial, and functional cardiac abnormalities in infants.
• Echocardiography prompted clinical management changes in 78% of cases.
• High concordance (31/38) between neonatologist and cardiologist scans.

Conclusions:

• Neonatal unit echocardiography has a high diagnostic yield for cardiac abnormalities.
• Findings frequently lead to changes in clinical management.
• Echocardiography is a reliable tool when performed by neonatologists.