Diaphragmatic and excursion thickness in newborns using using diaphragmatic kinesiology ultrasound: an observational study

Abstract

Introduction: The study of the diaphragm muscle has aroused the interest of physiotherapists who work with kinesiological ultrasonography, but still little explored; however, its findings can contribute to the clinical practice of hospitalized patients in neonatal intensive care units. Objective: To measure the excursion and thickening of the diaphragm and describe measurements among neonates, preterm, and full-term. Methods: Diaphragmatic kinesiological ultrasonography was performed on hospitalized newborns, in Neonatal Unit Care Unit, placed in supine position in their own bed, on the sixth day of life. Three repeated measurements of the same respiratory cycle were made, both for excursion and for diaphragmatic thickening. Results: 37 newborns participated in the study and 25 were premature. The mean weight at the time of collection was 2,307.0  672.76 grams and the gestational age was 35.7  3.3 weeks. Diaphragmatic excursion increased with increasing gestational age (p = 0.01, df = 0.21) in term infants (p = 0.17, df = 0.35). Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between diaphragmatic excursion and gestational age. There was no statistically significant difference in the measurements of excursion and inspiratory diaphragm thickening between preterm and term newborns, although pointing to higher measurements in the latter group.