Two-dimensional ultrasound shear wave elastography: an effective method for assessing fetal rabbit lung maturity.

Authors

Qingqing Huang, Xiali Wang, Yifang He, Dandan Wang, Guorong Lyu

Published in

Pediatric research. Jun 16, 2026. Epub Jun 16, 2026.

Abstract

To investigate the correlation of fetal lung maturity (FLM) and its stiffness obtained by two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in rabbits.
In 50 fetal rabbits (23-30 days gestation), lung and liver elasticity were measured by 2D-SWE. After cesarean section, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) concentration in alveolar lavage fluid and lung interstitial ratio were assessed. Partial correlation analysis was then performed to examine the correlation of fetal lung elasticity/lung-to-liver elasticity (LLE) ratio with DPPC content and with interstitial ratio, respectively.
Fetal lung and liver 2D-SWE measurements showed good consistency. Fetal lung elasticity and LLE ratio were strongly negatively correlated with DPPC (r = -0.866 [95% CI -0.928, -0.757] and -0.840 [-0.914, -0.714], P < 0.001) and slightly reduced after controlling for interstitial ratio (r = -0.727 [-0.848, -0.534] and -0.672 [-0.815, -0.453], P < 0.001). Conversely, strong positive correlations with the interstitial ratio (r = 0.757 [0.580, 0.865] and 0.763 [0.590, 0.869], P < 0.001) decreased to moderate levels after adjusting for DPPC (r = 0.446 [0.151, 0.667] and 0.471 [0.183, 0.685], P < 0.01).
2D-SWE may serve as a useful non-invasive tool for predicting FLM in rabbits, providing a basis for further studies on human FLM.
Key Message: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2-DSWE) correlates strongly with surfactant content in fetal lungs, offering a potential non-invasive biomarker of functional lung maturity to address the clinical need for predicting neonatal respiratory readiness. Novelty: We provide the first quantitative evidence that 2D-SWE values reflect biochemical (surfactant) more closely than structural maturation, redefining its role in perinatal assessment. Significance & Impact: 2D-SWE may serve as a novel, non-invasive ultrasound modality for assessing fetal lung maturity. These preclinical findings suggest that it might potentially aid in RDS risk assessment, potentially laying a certain foundation for future clinical research.

PMID:
42304119
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Jun 2026.

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