Objective This study aimed to determine the accuracy of neonatal lung ultrasound (LUS) in predicting the need for surfactant therapy compared with chest X-ray (CXR) in preterm infants. Study Design A prospective double-blind study was conducted in infants with a gestational age <34 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) by evaluation with LUS and CXR on admission. Results Among 45 preterm infants, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) LUS score was 4 (2–8) in the mild RDS group, whereas it was 10 (IQR: 9–12) in the severe RDS group (p < 0.01). The LUS score showed a significant correlation with the need for total surfactant doses (ρ = 0.855; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.801–0.902; p < 0.001). A cut-off LUS score of four predicted the need for surfactant with 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity (area under the curve [AUC]: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.97–1.00; p < 0.01). LUS scores predicted continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure accurately (AUC: 0.804; 95% CI: 0.673–0.935; p = 0.001). A significant correlation was observed between LUS scores and positive end-expiratory pressure levels (ρ = 0.782; p < 0.001). During the study period, the CXR number per infant with RDS decreased significantly when compared with preceding months (p < 0.001). The LUS score in the first day of life did not predict the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (AUC: 0.274; 95% CI: 0.053–0.495; p = 0.065). Conclusion The LUS score in preterm infants accurately predicts the severity of RDS, the need for surfactant and CPAP failure. The routine use of LUS can decrease the frequency of CXRs in the neonatal intensive care units. Key Points

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Abstract Background: To evaluate carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in diagnosing late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm neonates. Methods: The records of culture-positive LOS in preterm neonates hospitalized in NICU from January 2017 to July 2022 were reviewed.COHb levels, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio of septic preterm infants were compared to controls. Serial COHb levels measured within six hours before or 24h after blood culture sampling, three to seven days prior, and three to five days after starting antimicrobial therapy were retrieved from patient records. Results: The study included 77 blood-culture-positive preterm infants and 77 non-septic controls. During the LOS episode, the COHb values were found to be significantly increased (median: 1.8, IQR: 1.4-2.5) when compared to the control group (median: 1.2, IQR: 0.8-1.6) (p < 0.001). ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.714 for COHb (95% CI: 0.631-0.796, p<0.001). At an optimal cut-off of >1.5%, the test’s sensitivity was 64.94%, the specificity was 72.73%, the positive predictive value was 70.42%, and the negative predictive value was 67.47%.LOS led to a dramatic rise followed by a decrease after the initiation of the antimicrobial therapy [1.8 (1.4-2.5) ] vs. [1.45 (0.2-4)] p<0.001. Conclusion: COHb levels increased at the beginning of LOS, decreasing in response to antibiotics. When used in conjunction with other sepsis biomarkers, the variation of COHb can be important in evaluating a LOS episode in preterm infants. COHb can be utilized as a quick, bedside approach for detecting LOS in preterm neonates in NICUs.