Background and aims Vertical artefacts (B-lines) in lung ultrasound have been shown to correlate with lung liquid. In neonates the abundance of B-lines decreases after birth reflecting the decrease in the liquid content of the lungs. Static lung compliance, a sign of the elasticity of the lungs, improves after birth. Our aim was to study the correlation between static lung compliance and lung ultrasound in neonates.

Methods 24 healthy term infants were studied. Static lung compliance was measured by the double occlusion technique at the age of 0–4 h during silent sleep and regular respiration. Lung ultrasound was performed immediately after the compliance measurement. B-lines in ultrasound from six designated areas on the chest were scored on a 5-step scale to yield the US score.

Results Static lung compliance correlated significantly (p = 0,043, Pearson Correlation) with the abundance of B-lines in ultrasound.

Conclusion Our result supports the utility of lung ultrasound in estimating lung liquid.