Assessing the Reliability of Lung Ultrasound in Neonatal Acute Care Setting: A Systematic Review Protocol

Introduction: Choosing appropriate diagnostic imaging modalities in neonates is often challenging. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been increasingly adopted in the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases in this population. However, since LUS interpretation relies heavily on operator skills and recognition of artefact patterns, concerns persist regarding its reliability. While numerous studies have explored the clinical utility of LUS, the study of its reliability - particularly inter-rater and intra-rater - remains substantially underrepresented. This systematic review aims to assess the reliability of LUS within neonatal acute care settings and explore associated influencing factors in this context. Methods: We will include studies of LUS examinations performed on neonatal patients (aged