Lung ultrasound score for prediction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in newborns: A meta-analysis.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) ranks among preterm infants' most common and severe respiratory diseases. Lung ultrasound scores (LUS) play a vital role in predicting early BPD and guiding treatment and intervention strategies for affected patients.

Objective: Performed a meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic LUS for newborns with BPD.

Methods: Online electronic databases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were used to retrieve relevant research until May 2023. A total of 117 literatures were collected, and ten eligible articles were selected for meta-analysis.

Results: Meta-analysis was performed on 10 studies (1274 neonates). LUS at 7 days after birth (7 days of life, DOL 7) showed good diagnostic accuracy for any type of BPD, moderate and severe BPD. DOL 7 was more accurate in predicting all types of BPD (AUC = 0.87, sensitivity = 0.75, specificity = 0.83) than moderate and severe BPD (AUC = 0.80, sensitivity = 0.69, specificity = 0.79). There was no statistical significance between DOL 7 and DOL 14 in their accuracy for predicting all types of BPD (difference in AUC = 0.04, p= 0.068). There was no notable distinction between DOL 7 and DOL 14 in their accuracy for predicting moderate and severe BPD (difference in AUC =-0.04, p= 0.104).

Conclusions: The diagnostic efficacy of LUS on DOL 7 in predicting the occurrence of all types of BDP and moderate-severe BPD is determined. This will facilitate rapid and accurate detection and timely treatment, thereby reducing the risk of neonatal mortality and sequelae.