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Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Neonatology in India: The Way Forward

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Abstract

The clinician-performed point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful tool, and its scope includes bedside assessment of pulmonary (e.g., pneumothorax, pleural effusion), cardiac (e.g., pulmonary hypertension, ductus arteriosus), gastrointestinal (e.g., necrotising enterocolitis), and intracranial (e.g., intraventricular hemorrhage, cerebral blood flow velocities) pathologies, procedural guidance and rapid assessment of etiologies of acute clinical deterioration (e.g., pneumothorax, poor cardiac contractility, intraventricular hemorrhage). Despite its potential to improve patient care, a curriculum and a structured program for POCUS training is lacking in India. Homogenous approach to training and ongoing quality assurance is essential to optimize benefits of POCUS as an effective tool in clinical practice. The training needs, the legal and infrastructural barriers to successful implementation of POCUS, and strategies to implement the program at the national level are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, King Edward Memorial Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia, 6008, Australia

    Chandra Rath

  2. Department of Neonatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada

    Rema Nagpal

  3. Department of Neonatology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, 411 043, India

    Pradeep Suryawanshi

Authors
  1. Chandra Rath
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  2. Rema Nagpal
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  3. Pradeep Suryawanshi
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All authors contributed to all aspects of the manuscript, approved the final version, and are accountable for all aspects of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pradeep Suryawanshi.

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Rath, C., Nagpal, R. & Suryawanshi, P. Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Neonatology in India: The Way Forward. Indian Pediatr 60, 351–357 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-2879-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-2879-0

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