Routine daily chest radiographs in ventilated, very low birth weight infants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of new abnormalities on routine chest radiographs of ventilated, very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during the acute stage of their illness. Infants were identified who had had at least three daily routine chest radiographs. The appearance of their subsequent radiographs was compared to that obtained on the 1st day of ventilatory support and the timing of new abnormalities (malposition of the endotracheal or nasogastric tube, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pleural effusion, pulmonary oedema, lobar collapse or consolidation) noted. A total of 100 radiographs were examined from 30 VLBW infants, median gestational age 27 weeks (range 23–32 weeks). New abnormalities were present on the radiographs of 24 infants and on 50% of the radiographs examined. The commonest abnormalities noted were pulmonary interstitial emphysema, collapse and consolidation.

Conclusion Routine daily chest radiographs in mechanically ventilated, very low birth weight infants during the acute stage of their respiratory illness can yield new information important in patient care, new abnormalities being demonstrated in 50% of radiographs examined.