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Erschienen in:
17.06.2022 | Short Communication
Feasibility and acceptability of a diagnostic randomized clinical trial of bowel ultrasound in infants with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis
Erschienen in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Ausgabe 8/2022
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We conducted a pilot diagnostic randomized clinical trial (RCT) to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of adding bowel ultrasound (BUS) to the diagnostic evaluation for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Infants ≤ 32 weeks’ gestational age with NEC concern were randomized to undergo abdominal X-ray (AXR) or AXR + BUS. The primary outcome was study feasibility. Secondary outcomes included rates of NEC diagnosis and duration of treatment with bowel rest and antibiotics. A total of 56 infants were enrolled; 16 developed NEC concern and were randomized. Rates of recruitment (56/82 = 68%), retention (16/16 = 100%), and protocol compliance (126/127 = 99%) met pre-specified thresholds for feasibility. No significant differences in rates of NEC diagnosis were found between the two groups. Durations of bowel rest and antibiotic treatment were also similar.
Conclusion: Our study supports the feasibility of conducting a definitive diagnostic RCT to establish safety and efficacy of BUS for NEC.
Clinical trial registration: The study was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03963011).
What is Known: • Bowel ultrasound (BUS) is increasingly being utilized as an adjunct to abdominal radiographs in evaluating for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). • The impact of BUS on patient outcomes is unknown. | |
What is New: • A diagnostic randomized controlled trial study design to determine safety and effectiveness of adding BUS to NEC evaluation is feasible and acceptable. |
