Handheld, portable ultrasound in the neonatal intensive care nursery: a new, inexpensive tool for the rapid diagnosis of common neonatal problems.

The use of ultrasound imaging in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has become an essential part of the evaluation and delivery of care for most neonates. Until recently, ultrasound machines were large, expensive, and often not immediately available, particularly at night and during weekends. Additionally, serial studies to define the evolution of an acute clinical situation were often not practical because of the dedicated time required and the expense involved. The recent introduction into our NICU of a high-quality, reasonably priced, and completely portable neonatal ultrasound unit (Sonosite, Bothell, WA) has now made it possible for neonatologists to rapidly obtain the hour-by-hour information that can be extremely helpful in the evaluation of a critically ill neonate. This paper illustrates some of the capabilities of this simplified device, and the value of having continuous on-site ultrasound availability in the NICU.