The Impact of Functional Neonatal Echocardiography on Management Plans: A Jordanian Experience

Background: Neonates hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can have their hemodynamic function assessed with the help of functional neonatal echocardiography (FnECHO). Despite its clinical significance, this tool is infrequently utilized in resource-limited settings. Objective: The purpose of this study was to utilize FnECHO to evaluate the outcomes and modifications in management strategies for cardiovascular anomalies in both preterm and full-term neonates. Patients and Methods: The study used a retrospective observational design. The study was conducted on 261 newborns in the NICU of a government hospital. All participants underwent analysis of demographic characteristics, FnECHO indications, echocardiographic findings, and assessments of changes in their management plan. The study analyzed FnECHO indications, findings, and modified management strategies, including medication adjustments, changes in monitoring protocols, and their relation to gestational age (GA). Results: Of the neonates, 73.6% were preterm, with a mean (standard deviation) GA of 33.87 (3.78) weeks. Respiratory distress (28.7%) and premature hemodynamic assessment (28.7%) were the primary indications for FnECHO. Moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension (31%) and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (20.7%) were detected. Changes in management plans occurred in 53.3% of cases, with preterm neonates accounting for 47.9% of these changes. Conclusion: Management changes occurred in more than half of the cases following the use of the FnECHO tool. The study highlights the value of the FnECHO tool in optimizing neonatal care and emphasizes the importance of implementing FnECHO into routine NICU practices; however, further studies are needed to investigate its long-term effects and cost-effectiveness in resource-limited settings.