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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

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 complications of mechanical ventilation in neonates
J Davin Miller1, Waldemar A Carlo
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 525 New Hillman Building, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233-7335, USA.
Insights
Mechanical ventilation is crucial for neonates but can cause complications like volutrauma. Improving ventilatory support strategies is essential to reduce these risks and enhance long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Critical Care
Background:
- Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention for neonates.
- Complications associated with mechanical ventilation can impact long-term health.
- Distinguishing inherent risks from iatrogenic errors is critical for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the inherent risks of mechanical ventilation in neonates.
- To emphasize the negative impact of complications like volutrauma and air leak syndromes on outcomes.
- To advocate for improved neonatal care practices and ventilatory strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical data on neonatal mechanical ventilation complications.
- Analysis of factors contributing to pulmonary complications.
- Identification of areas for clinical research.
Main Results:
- Complications such as volutrauma and air leak syndromes are inherent to mechanical ventilation.
- These complications can adversely affect both pulmonary and non-pulmonary long-term outcomes.
- Current data underscore the need for meticulous attention to neonatal care practices.
Conclusions:
- Careful management of delivery room resuscitation, ventilatory support, and routine care is vital.
- Further clinical research is required to refine mechanical ventilation strategies.
- The ultimate goal is to minimize pulmonary complications and improve long-term neonatal outcomes.
Abstract:
Mechanical ventilation is necessary and life saving in many neonates. Most complications are inherent to this intervention and cannot be confused with iatrogenic errors in judgment or care practices by clinicians. Clinical data suggest that complications such as volutrauma and air leak syndromes can negatively affect long-term pulmonary and non-pulmonary outcomes. Careful attention to many aspects of neonatal care, such as delivery room resuscitation, ventilatory support, and routine care practices, is needed to decrease pulmonary complications of mechanical ventilation. Clinical research is needed to improve mechanical ventilator strategies to reduce pulmonary complications and improve long-term outcomes.
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