Value of Lung Ultrasonography to Predict Weaning Success in Ventilated Neonates

Background: Invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) is lifesaving for critically ill neonates. Limiting the duration of MV support is crucial. Lung ultrasonography is a bedside technique useful to predict weaning success in adults, but few data are available about its use in neonates. Our aim was to assess the value of lung ultrasonography to predict weaning success of the ventilated neonates.

Methods: This study included 80 neonates on MV suffering from different pulmonary diseases. All patients had lung ultrasound just before extubation and 6 hours after extubation. Lung ultrasound score (LUS) was calculated for all neonate. Blood gases and chest x-ray were performed just before extubation as well. All neonates were followed up for 48 hours after extubation for extubation failure (EF).

Results: Eighteen neonates (22.5%) experienced EF. Neonates with EF had significantly lower gestational age, lower weight but significantly prolonged duration of MV, prolonged NICU stay, and higher mortality. LUS before and after extubation was significantly higher in neonates with EF than those with weaning success. Pre-extubation LUS had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 88% to predict weaning success in neonates at a cutoff value ≤4. While, post-extubation LUS had a sensitivity of 89%, and a specificity of 90% to predict weaning success in neonates at a cutoff point ≤6.

Conclusion: Lung ultrasound is a rapid, noninvasive, repetitive, and reliable tool for predicting the weaning success of ventilated neonates.