This prospective observational study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy of chest X-ray versus lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia among neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Assiut University Children's Hospital.
Neonatal pneumonia is a leading cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period. Chest X-ray has traditionally been the reference imaging modality, but it involves ionizing radiation and has moderate sensitivity. Lung ultrasound is a radiation-free, bedside alternative that has shown promising diagnostic performance. This prospective study will include term and preterm neonates admitted to the NICU with clinical suspicion of pneumonia within the first 28 days of life. All participants will undergo both portable chest X-ray and standardized lung ultrasound performed by trained examiners blinded to each other's findings. Diagnostic accuracy of both modalities will be compared against a composite clinical reference standard.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound versus chest X-ray
Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lung ultrasound compared with chest X-ray for the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia, using a composite clinical reference standard.
Time frame: At the time of clinical suspicion of pneumonia (Baseline)
Comparison of radiographic and sonographic findings
Description and comparison of chest X-ray findings (opacities, air bronchograms, pleural effusion) and lung ultrasound findings (subpleural consolidation, dynamic air bronchograms, B-lines, pleural line abnormalities).
Time frame: Baseline
Correlation with clinical severity
Correlation between chest X-ray grading and lung ultrasound scores with clinical severity indices of neonatal respiratory distress (oxygenation index, FiO2 requirement, respiratory support level).
Time frame: Baseline
Risk factors associated with neonatal pneumonia
Antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal risk factors associated with the diagnosis of neonatal pneumonia.
Time frame: Baseline
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