Newborns delivered by caesarean section (CS) have a higher incidence of respiratory distress and NICU admissions compared to those delivered vaginally, primarily due to a delayed and insufficient lung liquid clearance caused by the absence of normal birth stress [1-3]. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a safe and valid method to assess lung liquid content through detection and quantification of the “B-lines”, hyperechoic vertical comet-tail artifacts originating from the pleural line that reflect the presence and the entity of fluid accumulation in the alveolar-interstitial space [4-8]....

This was a prospective observational single-center study enrolling neonates delivered by cesarean section (either elective or emergency) in our University Hospital in a period from December 2016 to March 2017. All infants with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart or pulmonary disease, other major congenital malformation or chromosome abnormalities were excluded from the study. The criteria for the definition of respiratory distress were a breath rate≥ 65 breaths/minute associated with at least one other symptom such as tachycardia (heart rate > 190 bpm), chest wall...

A total of 100 newborns (51 male / 49 female; 12 twins) were enrolled in the study, 86 delivered by elective CS and 14 delivered by emergency CS. 7 infants were admitted to the NICU in the first hours of life for respiratory distress and treated with nCPAP for at least 24 hours. The mean time point of the first clinical and echographic evaluation (T0) was 14,4 ±0,2 minutes (range: 6 - 28 minutes). Gestational age was between 33w+6d and 41w+4d (mean GA 38w+2d ±...

LUS performed in the first 30 minutes of life is a safe and reliable tool in predicting hospitalization for respiratory distress and the need of non-invasive ventilation in newborns delivered by CS. This can be extremely useful in small and peripheral birth centers, to identify patients who may need intensive cares and that should be transferred to more specialized centers equipped with NICU.

Antonio Poerio [email protected] PediatricRadiology Unit / Department of experimental, diagnostic and specialty Medicine / S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital / University of Bologna - Italy

[1] Edwards MO, Kotecha SJ, Kotecha S. Respiratory Distress of the Term Newborn Infant. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews 14 (2013) 29–37. [2] Ramachandrappa A, Jain L. Elective cesarean section: its impact on neonatal respiratory outcome. Clin Perinatol. 2008 Jun;35(2):373-93. [3] Martelius L, Janér C, Süvari L, Helve O, et al. Delayed lung liquid absorption after cesarean section at term. Neonatology. 2013;104(2):133-6. [4] RaimondiF,MigliaroF, Sodano A, et al. Can neonatal lung ultrasound monitor fluid clearance and predict the need of respiratory support? Crit Care. 2012 Nov 14;16(6):R220....