Serial Lung Ultrasound Predicting Need for Surfactant and Respiratory Course in Preterm Infants Observational Study

Participant group for the study: Babies born under 34 weeks with a risk of developing lung problems after birth. This study is an observational study to confirm the value of chest/Lung ultrasound (LU) to predict the need for surfactant in UK newborn population. As a part of the study, the investigators will perform early LU and serial LU in the first few days of life. The investigators will perform the first LU within 3 hours of admission. A Second LU will then be taken at 3-6 hours after surfactant administration (if the baby receives surfactant) or at 6-12 hours of life (if the baby continues to be on Non-invasive respiratory support). A third LU is then taken on Day 2 (12-24 hours after the second LU) and a fourth LU on Day 3 (12-24 hours after the third LU). Then the investigators will carry out additional clinical data collection at hospital discharge. Ultrasound is a common procedure carried out in newborn population. The scan should not take more than 3 to 5 minutes. All other data would be obtained from patient notes and databases.