Neonatologist-Performed Lung Ultrasound (NPLUS) to Guide Respiratory Therapy

Launched by ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN · Mar 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called the Neonatologist-Performed Lung Ultrasound (NPLUS) trial, is studying whether a special type of lung ultrasound can help preterm babies with breathing problems breathe easier and use less oxygen. The researchers want to find out if using this ultrasound when a baby's oxygen needs increase can help doctors make better treatment decisions to improve the baby's lung health. The trial will compare this ultrasound method to standard care to see which is more effective.

To participate in this trial, babies must be preterm (born before 33 weeks of pregnancy) and receiving non-invasive breathing support called CPAP. They should be at least two weeks old and expected to stay on CPAP for five days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney. During the trial, when a baby's oxygen needs rise, a lung ultrasound will be done, and doctors will use the results to adjust their care. Each baby will take part for five days, switching between the ultrasound method and standard care to see how each approach affects their oxygen needs. It's important to note that babies with certain health conditions or those who have had surgery may not be eligible to participate.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • All preterm infants (\<33 weeks gestational age) from their 2nd week of life, receiving respiratory support via NCPAP
• • expected to stay on NCPAP for the following 5 days at the NICU, Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, Sydney
• • provided written informed consent obtained from parents.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Neonates with previous abdominal surgery
• • Major congenital anomalies.
• • \>33+0 weeks
• • Less than 1 week of age
• • Invasive ventilation
• • Bilevel or Multilevel non-invasive ventilation
• • Not expected respiratory support via CPAP for the following 5 days.