Value of Chest Ultrasound in Preterm Neonates with Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Background: The deficiency of surfactant, a lipoprotein material secreted by type 2 pneumocytes, is the cause of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), a common respiratory condition in neonates. This study aimed to detect the value of chest ultrasonography in the diagnosis of NRDS in preterm neonates for earlier and more accurate diagnosis and hence prompt management of the disease. Methods: This descriptive study encompassed 50 preterm neonates who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital and exhibited clinical and radiological manifestations of respiratory distress syndrome. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (n=24) consisted of neonates with grade 3 respiratory distress and group B (n=26) consisted of neonates with grade 4 respiratory distress. Results: Sensitivity of lung ultrasound was 84.6%, its specificity was 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%, negative predictive value was 85.7% and accuracy was 92% in detecting NRDS. Conclusion: We concluded that chest ultrasonography has good sensitivity, specificity, PPV and accuracy in detecting NRDS. Also, it can detect the severity of neonatal RDS better than plain chest X-ray.