Upper Airway Ultrasound to Predict Difficult Laryngoscopy in Neonates and Infants

Upper airway ultrasound (UA-US) has been utilized in adults to predict difficult laryngoscopy (Cormick-Lehane view 3 or 4) and difficult tracheal intubation (DTI) (≥3 intubation attempts) and with moderate-to-high sensitivity and specificity. This bedside technique is reproducible, easy-to-do without any additional radiation risk, and was added to the most recent American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Practice Guidelines for Difficult Airway Management in Adults. However, UA-US has only been applied to older children ages 5-12 and has not been examined in neonates and infants. Thus, the aim of this observational study using UA-US to predict difficult laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in neonates and infants presenting for diagnostic, procedural or surgical care under general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation.

NCT Number	NCT07444528
Lead Sponsor	Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Conditions	Neonates, Infants Aged 0 Days to 12 Months Scheduled for Elective Surgery
Enrollment	180 participants
Start Date	2026-03-02
Primary Completion	2027-12-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-12-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-04