Availability, utilization, and barriers to bowel ultrasound for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): A national multidisciplinary survey | National Multidisciplinary Survey | 104 respondents from 42 Children's Hospitals' Neonatal Consortium institutions | evaluated availability, utilization, and barriers to using bowel ultrasound (BUS) to diagnose NEC | Key Findings: | BUS is widely available at Level IV NICUs | - 83% had access | - 64% offered 24/7 availability | Access drops in Level III NICUs | -42% had access | BUS was usually used as an adjunct | - alongside abdominal radiographs | - or reserved for diagnostic uncertainty | Conclusion: Bowel ultrasound is becoming more available, but widespread adoption is limited by inconsistent training, protocols, and evidence—not by technology alone. | https://www.nature.com/articles/s41372-026-02677-y | Cuna A et. al. | Children's Mercy Hospital. Kansas City, USA | @LizzyPAC8 | @globalcastmd | @StayCurrentMD
Availability, utilization, and barriers to bowel ultrasound for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): A national multidisciplinary survey
Infographic · Jul 2026 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
National survey of 100+ clinicians across 42 children's hospitals reveals that while bowel ultrasound is available in 83% of level 4 NICUs, inconsistent use persists due to lack of standardized protocols, limited training, and unclear treatment algorithms. Wider adoption for NEC diagnosis requires evidence-based guidelines and structured training programs.
- Bowel ultrasound is available at 83% of level IV NICUs but only 42% of level III NICUs, creating disparities in diagnostic access.
- BUS is primarily used as an adjunct to radiographs in uncertain cases rather than as a standardized first-line diagnostic tool for NEC.
- Radiologists use protocols for BUS while neonatologists and surgeons report limited training and few institutional guidelines.
- Key implementation barriers include lack of standardization, inadequate provider training, and unclear evidence for clinical utility.
- Even when BUS is available 24/7, clinical integration remains inconsistent across institutions and specialties.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the infographic.
The infographic uses a teal and yellow color scheme with icons including a magnifying glass over a document, an ultrasound machine display, and a baby in an incubator. Key findings are presented in hierarchical text blocks with bullet points, progressing from availability statistics to usage patterns and conclusions.