Clinicians at Medway Maritime Hospital have played a key role in a major UK research study that will improve (or is improving) how premature babies with breathing difficulties are assessed and treated in neonatal units.
The Serial Lung Ultrasound in predicting the need for surfactant and Respiratory course in Preterm infants (SLURP) study is a national study investigating whether serial lung ultrasound can help identify which premature babies will require breathing support shortly after birth.
The study focused on babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy who developed breathing difficulties soon after birth. It involved doctors and nurses from three UK neonatal units including Medway’s Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit.
The research aimed to determine whether lung ultrasound could accurately predict which premature babies would need surfactant — a life-saving treatment that helps newborns’ lungs work properly.
It also examined how quickly and effectively healthcare professionals could perform and interpret lung ultrasound scans through a structured training programme.
The study found that lung ultrasound is a reliable, quick and safe way to assess lung disease in premature babies. Clinicians with little or no prior ultrasound experience became confident and accurate in using the technique after completing the training.
The findings also confirmed that the lung ultrasound scoring system used in the study could help identify which babies are most likely to benefit from early surfactant treatment.
Dr Bikash Bhojnagarwala, Lead for Neonatal Services at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and principal investigator for the study, said: “Overall, the study has shown that with proper training, lung ultrasound can become a routine bedside tool in neonatal units, reducing the need for X-rays and helping doctors make faster, more targeted treatment decisions.
“We are very grateful to the patients and staff who collaborated on the study. Their participation was invaluable.”
The study has already helped train a large number of clinicians and is paving the way for wider adoption of lung ultrasound across neonatal units in the UK. The findings, which have been recognised for their important contribution to neonatal point-of-care ultrasound and respiratory care, have been published in three peer-reviewed medical journals, including the European Journal of Pediatrics and presented at international conferences.
Find out more about research and innovation at Medway Maritime Hospital and how you can be involved in future studies.
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