Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics
Establishing reference ranges for right ventricular functional parameters on neonatal echocardiography: a multicenter, prospective observational study
By Dong WH, Huang L, An YB and 4 others.
Abstract
Objectives
To establish reference ranges for right ventricular functional parameters at defined postnatal time points in neonates, thereby providing a basis for precise hemodynamic assessment and clinical management of critically ill neonates.
Methods
In a prospective multicenter observational study, clinical and echocardiographic data were collected from 406 term neonates who were admitted to neonatal departments or seen in outpatient clinics of three centers (Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yinchuan First People's Hospital, and Inner Mongolia Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital) between June 2023 and May 2024. Bedside echocardiography was used to measure right ventricular functional parameters. Spearman rank correlation was applied to assess associations between each parameter and sex, birth weight, gestational age, and postnatal age. Reference ranges were constructed using the 95% confidence interval approach for postnatal days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28, with stratification by gestational age and birth weight.