THE ROLE OF POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASOUND (POCUS) IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF CRITICAL CONDITIONS IN NEWBORNS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32689/2663-0672-2026-1-3Keywords:
neonatology, diagnosis, newborns, ultrasound examination, effectivenessAbstract
Background. The article is devoted to the issue of determining effective methods for the early diagnosis of critical conditions in newborns. Critical conditions in newborns are characterized by rapid progression and limited clinical signs in the early stages. This complicates early diagnosis and timely determination of effective therapy. Traditional imaging methods are often associated with time delays and additional risks for unstable patients. At the same time, Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) is an effective, safe, non-invasive diagnostic method that allows for instant assessment of the condition of newborns and helps neonatologists optimize treatment. The aim of this study is to establish the role of Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) in the early diagnosis of critical conditions in newborns. Materials and methods. The study analyzed current literature from the scientometric databases Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Results. According to the literature, POCUS is used in 60–85% of cases of initial assessment of critically ill newborns. The use of bedside ultrasound reduces the time to preliminary diagnosis from 45–60 minutes to 10–15 minutes. A change in clinical tactics after POCUS is noted in 30–50% of patients. Pulmonary POCUS is highly sensitive in respiratory disorders (up to 94%) and is associated with a 40–60% reduction in the number of X-ray examinations. Abdominal and vascular POCUS enable early detection of complications and reduce the frequency of invasive interventions. Conclusions. Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) is an effective tool for the early diagnosis of critical conditions in newborns. This approach improves the accuracy of newborn diagnosis, which helps in choosing a treatment strategy. POCUS demonstrates the greatest clinical effect when implemented systematically and with appropriate training of medical personnel.
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