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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
Assessment of chest X-ray images in newborns with respiratory disorders
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, SPSK1, Zabrze, Poland.
Insights
Chest X-rays are crucial for diagnosing neonatal respiratory disorders. Reduced lung aeration is the most common radiological sign identified in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal radiology
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
Background:
- Neonatal respiratory disorders are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Chest radiography is a primary imaging modality for evaluating these conditions in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze key radiological signs on chest X-rays in neonates with various respiratory disorders.
- To identify the most frequent radiographic findings associated with neonatal respiratory compromise.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 301 chest radiographs from 84 neonates.
- Inclusion of neonates diagnosed with pneumonia, infant respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, atelectasis, and meconium aspiration syndrome.
- Assessment of lung aeration, mediastinal shadows, and overall radiographic findings.
Main Results:
- Reduced lung aeration was the most prevalent radiological sign, observed in 55 neonates.
- Pneumonia (n=44) and infant respiratory distress syndrome (n=28) were the most common diagnoses.
- Initial normal radiographs were noted in 29 neonates, with 41 showing normal final radiographs.
Conclusions:
- Chest X-ray is vital for diagnosing neonatal respiratory disorders.
- Reduction in lung aeration is a key indicator of respiratory compromise in neonates.
- Radiographic findings aid in differentiating various neonatal respiratory conditions.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to analyze major radiological signs on chest X-ray images of neonates with respiratory disorders. The analyzed group consisted of 84 neonates; 56 were born prematurely. In total, 386 X-ray photographs of the neonates were taken; of these, 301 were chest radiographs. The following conditions were diagnosed: pneumonia (n = 44), infant respiratory distress syndrome (n = 28), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n = 9), atelectasis (n = 5), and meconium aspiration syndrome (n = 3). The initial X-ray images of 29 neonates were normal. Reduced aeration of lung tissue was diagnosed in 55 patients, increased lung tissue aeration in 6. A pathologically widened mediastinal shadow was observed in 4 newborns; in 4 cases, evaluation was not possible. The final radiographs were normal in 41 cases. The most common radiological sign in respiratory disorders is the reduction of lung aeration. Chest X-ray examination plays a significant role in the diagnostics of respiratory disorders, which may be caused be factors unrelated to the respiratory system.
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