Applications of point-of-care ultrasonography in the NICU: A Canadian perspective

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is an adjunctive, portable clinical assessment tool that in the hands of trained clinicians can support differential diagnosis, clarify therapeutic options, and improve key procedures. For emergent situations in the neonatal intensive care unit, POCUS can save lives when used for real-time assessment of cardiac tamponade, pleural effusions, and pneumothorax. As interest in this modality grows, formal training fellowships in both emergency medicine and intensive care have emerged in Canada, and many North American institutions are beginning to integrate POCUS into practice. This statement discusses the current state of neonatal POCUS, including challenges to implementation, offers a pathway for educational programming, and provides guidance on use with particular focus on diagnostic and procedural applications.