None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Aim: To determine the interobserver variability of ultrasound of the spinal cord performed on infants by clinicians. Hypothesis: We hypothesise that clinician performed ultrasound reliably and reproducibly identifies the end of the spinal cord in newborn infants. If reliable, the use of spinal ultrasound would enhance the safety of infants undergoing lumbar puncture by ensuring that the location of puncture occurs below the end of the spinal cord thus eliminating the risk of cord injury.
Interventions
The participants will be infants admitted to the hospital who require lumbar puncture. There are no exclusions.
The spinal cord will be examined by ultrasound using linear array probe in mid sagittal (up and down the body) and transverse planes (across the body) and location of the termination of the spinal cord defined in relation to surrounding vertebral bodies.
Ultrasound examinations will be performed by 2 practitioners, Neonatal Consultants or Senior Neonatal Trainees who are experienced
The participants will be infants admitted to the hospital who require lumbar puncture. There are no exclusions. The spinal cord will be examined by ultrasound using linear array probe in mid sagittal (up and down the body) and transverse planes (across the body) and location of the termination of the spinal cord defined in relation to surrounding vertebral bodies. Ultrasound examinations will be performed by 2 practitioners, Neonatal Consultants or Senior Neonatal Trainees who are experienced in the use of ultrasound. They will have training in the method for examination of the spine and will be allowed to familiarise themselves with this technique. The procedure will be performed twice by the first observer and twice by a second observer who is blinded to the results of the first. Each observation should take approximately 5 minutes to complete and will occur on the same day.
Sponsors
Lydia Kennedy
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to 6 Months
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
The participants will be infants admitted to the hospital who require lumbar puncture.
Exclusion criteria
There are no exclusions.
Outcome results
None listed