Case Report: A structured point-of-care ultrasound pathway for the crashing neonate in the NICU: a case series and algorithm proposal

1

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is vital in the NICU for rapid diagnosis and management of critically ill neonates.
2

The proposed POCUS protocol focuses on three critical conditions: tension pneumothorax, pericardial tamponade, and severe intraventricular hemorrhage.
3

Standardized training for neonatologists in POCUS is essential for effective and responsible use in acute situations.
4

This case series demonstrates POCUS's ability to influence outcomes through timely interventions in three critically ill neonates.
5

The streamlined POCUS approach minimizes stress on fragile neonates while expediting life-saving interventions.

Frontiers In Pediatrics

by Bang Du, Min-Ling Mai, Jin-Feng Li, Hao-Qiang Xie, Jin-Gen Lie, Bi-Ying Deng, Xiao-Guang He
June 4, 2026

1