A neonatal point-of-care ultrasound has multiple applications, but its use has been limited in neonatal intensive care units in the Unites States. An increasing body of evidence suggests that lung ultrasound performed by the neonatologist, at the bedside, is reliable and accurate in differentiating neonatal respiratory conditions, predicting morbidity, and guiding invasive interventions. Recent research has shown that a lung ultrasound can assist the clinician in accurately identifying and managing conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In this review, we discuss basic lung ultrasound terminology, evidence for applications of neonatal lung ultrasound, and its use as a diagnostic and predictive tool for common neonatal respiratory pathologies.

Objective: We aim to assess the feasibility of a pragmatic randomized trial of antibiotics vs. no antibiotics in symptomatic premature infants after birth. Most premature infants are exposed to antibiotics after birth without evidence of benefit or harm for this practice. No study to date has attempted to randomize premature infants to antibiotics vs no antibiotics after birth. Study Design: Infants <33 weeks’ gestation admitted to the University of Florida Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were assigned to one of three groups after birth: (A) high risk – antibiotics indicated (B) low risk – antibiotics not indicated (C) eligible for un-blinded randomization (no antibiotics vs antibiotics). The primary outcome is a composite of serious adverse events including (necrotizing enterocolitis, late onset sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and death). Odds ratios (and 95% CI’s) were calculated to compare adverse event rates between the two randomized groups. Results: 186 subjects were enrolled (98 infants and 88 mothers) were enrolled over a 2-year period. 56% of infants (n=55) were randomized; 48% of infants randomized to the no antibiotics arm were switched and received antibiotics within the first 48 hours after birth. Serious adverse events were not significantly different between the randomization arms. Conclusion: This is the first prospective randomized trial of antibiotics vs no antibiotics after birth in symptomatic premature infants. The results of this trial establish a framework of feasibility for a larger multicentered trial that is needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of routine antibiotic exposure in premature infants.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication of very premature birth, leading not only to lifelong respiratory complications, but also to developmental impairment. While the impact of adequate postnatal growth in mitigating complications of premature birth is well documented, meeting the nutritional needs of premature infants with variable demands that change rapidly with the disease state remains challenging for neonatologists. In the absence of effective treatments, the focus of research in BPD is on preventative strategies addressing ventilation approach, fluid and nutritional support and limiting inflammation. The studies of nutritional support for babies with established BPD are scarce. This paper addresses nutrition preventative strategies, established BPD nutritional needs and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in individualising the nutritional approach for these infants.