The 'Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE)' Special Interest Group

Welcome to the 'Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE)' Special Interest Group of the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR)

The NPE group was convened in 2014 with the goal of promoting the responsible use of echocardiography by neonatologists to enhance clinical care of newborn infants by formulating "state-of-the art" guidelines. In 2016, a consensus statement was published by this group with recommendations for NPE training and accreditation in Europe. Subsequently the group developed comprehensive technical and clinical reviews encompassing many aspects of the use of NPE in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The next objective of the NPE group is to implement a pan-European governance structure with the responsibility to develop a certification and accreditation program and set standards for competency and excellence in NPE under the umbrella of the European Board of Neonatology (EBN) within the ESPR.

• Our objectives

  The overall aim of this endeavour is to ensure the safe application of echocardiography in the clinical setting to enhance hemodynamic assessment, improve our management strategies, and foster collaborative research.
• Meet the SIG Chair & members

  Eirik Nestaas MD PhD, COTH Section Chair since 2021 NPE SIG Chair University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital Norway
• Upcoming projects & meetings of the SIG
  • Implementation of a pan-European governance structure with the responsibility to develop a certification and accreditation program and set standards for competency and excellence in NPE
  • Pre-Congress Course 'Neonatologist performed echocardiography - A theoretical and practical introduction' at the jENS 2023 (5th Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies), 19-23 September 2023, Rome, Italy [Coordinators: Eirik Nestaas, Norway; Aisling Smith, Ireland]
• Publications
  • de Boode, W., Singh, Y., Gupta, S. et al. Recommendations for neonatologist performed echocardiography in Europe: Consensus Statement endorsed by European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) and European Society for Neonatology (ESN). Pediatr Res 80, 465–471 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2016.126
  • Groves, A.M., Singh, Y., Dempsey, E. et al. Introduction to neonatologist-performed echocardiography. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 1–12 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0076-y
  • Singh, Y., Roehr, C.C., Tissot, C. et al. Education, training, and accreditation of Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography in Europe—framework for practice. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 13–17 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0078-9
  • Nestaas, E., Schubert, U., de Boode, W.P. et al. Tissue Doppler velocity imaging and event timings in neonates: a guide to image acquisition, measurement, interpretation, and reference values. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 18–29 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0079-8
  • El-Khuffash, A., Schubert, U., Levy, P.T. et al. Deformation imaging and rotational mechanics in neonates: a guide to image acquisition, measurement, interpretation, and reference values. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 30–45 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0080-2
  • Levy, P.T., Tissot, C., Horsberg Eriksen, B. et al. Application of Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography in the Assessment and Management of Neonatal Heart Failure unrelated to Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 78–88 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0075-z
  • de Boode, W.P., van der Lee, R., Horsberg Eriksen, B. et al. The role of Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography in the assessment and management of neonatal shock. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 57–67 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0081-1
  • de Boode, W.P., Singh, Y., Molnar, Z. et al. Application of Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography in the assessment and management of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 68–77 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0082-0
  • van Laere, D., van Overmeire, B., Gupta, S. et al. Application of Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography in the assessment of a patent ductus arteriosus. Pediatr Res 84 (Suppl 1), 46–56 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0077-x
• How to engage with us

  Please contact the ESPR Secretariat via office@espr.eu. We will be more than happy to forward your request to the members of the NPE SIG.