Early Lung Ultrasound Score and Its Correlation with Respiratory Distress in Very Preterm Newborns: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) remains a major challenge in managing very preterm newborns. Early detection and intervention are crucial to improving outcomes in this vulnerable population. This study investigates the correlation between early lung ultrasound (LUS) scores and the severity of respiratory distress in a cohort of very preterm infants (<32 weeks gestational age) admitted to a Level 3 NICU at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur. We prospectively enrolled 78 preterm neonates between September 2023 and June 2024 and evaluated their LUS scores within the first 24 hours of life. The study's findings support the use of LUS as a predictive tool for RDS severity, demonstrating significant correlations between LUS scores and the need for respiratory support, duration of NICU stay, and overall clinical outcomes. These results suggest that LUS could be integrated into routine neonatal care to guide early therapeutic interventions.