Estimating Preterm Lung Volume: A Comparison of Lung Ultrasound, Chest Radiography, and Oxygenation.

Objective: To determine the relationship between lung ultrasound (LUS) examination, chest radiograph (CXR), and radiographic and clinical evaluations in the assessment of lung volume in preterm infants.

Study Design: In this prospective cohort study LUS was performed before CXR on 70 preterm infants and graded using (1) a LUS score, (2) an atelectasis score, and (3) measurement of atelectasis depth. Radiographic diaphragm position and radio-opacification were used to determine global and regional radiographic atelectasis.