Clinical Imaging: Point-of-care Ultrasound for Endotracheal Tube Localization in Neonates: Why It Matters

Endotracheal tube (ETT) malposition is a frequently encountered difficulty in the management of critically ill infants in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).Chest radiography (CXR) still remains the gold standard for confirmation of correct positioning of the ETT, but it is limited by temporal delays, radiation exposure, and workflow inefficiencies.Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers a rapid, radiation-free, and reliable alternative for confirming the position of the ETT at the bedside.This review summarizes the clinical rationale, scanning technique, available evidence, and practical strategies for using POCUS for ETT localization in neonates.