Ultrasound for Early Prediction of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common respiratory issue in preterm infants, often linked to complications from premature birth. Early prediction of BPD is essential for identifying infants who may benefit from early interventions and new therapies. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has recently emerged as a reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tool for neonatal conditions, offering potential for early BPD detection. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of LUS in diagnosing BPD on days 7 and 14 of life in preterm infants. The prospective cohort study included 95 preterm infants born at or before 34 weeks gestation. LUS assessments were conducted on days 7 and 14 to monitor changes over time. The average gestational age of the infants was 30.25 ± 2.21 weeks, with an average birth weight of 1347.66 ± 432.14 grams. Results showed that infants who developed BPD had significantly higher LUS scores on both days 7 and 14. At the initial examination, a LUS score over 8 indicated a sensitivity of 83.33% and a specificity of 60.87%, while at follow-up, the same score yielded a sensitivity of 76.39% and a specificity of 82.61%. Multivariate logistic regression highlighted key factors associated with BPD, including gestational age of 30 weeks or less, LUS score over 8 at the first examination, platelet counts of 245 × 10^9/L or lower, segment neutrophils at or below 42%, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels above 5 mg/L. Findings suggest that LUS scores are predictive of BPD, with scores over 8 serving as an independent predictive factor. Higher LUS scores correlated with increased BPD severity, supporting LUS as a valuable tool for early intervention planning in preterm infants.