Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 7, 2026

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
Published on: September 6, 2024
Discrepancy in applied tidal volumes between t-piece and lung level during delivery room stabilization - a case
Alexia Zanghi1, Maria Wall1, David G Tingay2,3
1Division Neonatology Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Medizin, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Abstract:
We present data of a preterm infant at 28 4/7 weeks gestation with inadequate response to non-invasive ventilation after birth who was intubated five minutes after delivery. During non-invasive stabilization, we noted a discrepancy between the displayed tidal volumes on the respiratory function monitor (RFM) and the real-time electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measurements. While expiratory tidal volumes on the RFM were in the recommended target of 4-6 mL/kg, EIT showed only minimal tidal volumes (corresponding to approximately 1-3 mL/kg), which was more consistent with the clinical impression of the neonate. After intubation, tidal volumes shown on RFM and EIT were similar, suggesting that RFM may be unreliable during non-invasive ventilation, possibly due to the large compliance of the nasopharyngeal space. EIT may be a helpful additional clinical tool in selective cases in the delivery room.
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