Using Length to Predict Endotracheal Tube Size in Neonates

The Broselow Pediatric Resuscitation Tape has been shown to be effective for determining correct drug doses and equipment sizes in the pediatric population. However, currently available Broselow tapes do not include recommendations for neonates. To determine if length accurately predicts appropriate endotracheal tube (ETT) size in this population, researchers derived a length-based tool in a cohort of 39 intubated neonates using length and weight correlations based on data from anthropomorphic studies. The researchers, who hold the patent for length-based pediatric resuscitation guides, then validated the tool in 69 intubated neonates from the same neonatal ICU. Tube fit was assessed based on subjective judgment of the attending neonatologi…