Impact of pulmonary ultrasonography on the use of antimicrobials and radiographs in neonates
Abstract
Introduction: Respiratory diseases are a major cause of admission to neonatal intensive care units. In Cuba, the diagnostic approach still relies excessively on the empirical use of antibiotics and the frequent performance of chest X-rays.Objective: To evaluate the impact of the systematic use of pulmonary ultrasonography on reducing the empirical use of antimicrobials and chest x-rays in neonates with respiratory distress in the North Maternal Hospital of Santiago de Cuba.Method: A descriptive observational study with retrospective comparative analysis was carried out. Neonates treated between February, and July, 2025 with the use of pulmonary ultrasound were included and compared with a control group treated between August, 2024 and January, 2025.Results: Antimicrobial use was 47.0 % in the ultrasound group compared to 78.0 % in the control group. Follow-up radiographs were avoided in the intervention group. The incidence of sepsis was similar in both groups.Conclusions: The implementation of pulmonary ultrasonography in the management of neonatal respiratory distress allowed for a significant decrease in the empirical use of antibiotics and the performance of chest x-rays without compromising the detection of infectious complications.
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