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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
[Pulmonary infections in preterm newborns].
V Vendettuoli1, A De Cunto, M Tana
1Divisione di Neonatologia, Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Minerva Pediatrica
|April 4, 2007
Summary
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence in preterm infants did not decrease over an 11-year period. Gram-negative bacteria became more common causes of VAP in these vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Context:
- Preterm newborns (<1250g) requiring intubation are at high risk for pneumonia.
- Distinguishing connatal pneumonia from ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is crucial for appropriate management.
Purpose:
- To retrospectively evaluate the incidence and etiology of connatal pneumonia and VAP in very low birth weight preterm infants.
- To analyze trends in causative organisms and VAP incidence over an 11-year period (1994-2004).
Summary:
- A total of 417 preterm infants were studied; 8.4% developed connatal pneumonia.
- VAP incidence remained stable, with a slight increase in the last two years (27% to 33%).
- Gram-negative microorganisms were increasingly isolated in VAP episodes, while Mycoplasma and Chlamydia decreased as causes of connatal pneumonia.
Impact:
- Despite reduced mechanical ventilation duration, VAP incidence did not decline, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic and preventive strategies.
- Findings underscore the evolving etiology of VAP in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- Further research is essential to enhance VAP diagnosis and prevention in high-risk neonatal populations.
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