title: Evaluation of body parameters for estimation of endotracheal tube length in Indian neonates.
abstract: The objectives were to estimate the incidence of inadequate placement of the endotracheal tube (ET) using Tochen's formula (6 + birth weight) and to correlate optimum ET length with anthropometric measurements in neonates. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 50 neonates. Neonates requiring intubation for ventilation, with a confirmatory chest radiograph, were intubated using Tochen's formula, after which tube placement was verified by auscultation. The incidence of inadequate placement and optimum length of ET insertion were estimated from chest radiographs. Anthropometric parameters were measured and correlated with the optimum length and regression equations generated. The incidence of inadequate placement of the ET was 40 % (20 of 50). The incidence of inadequate placement was higher (5 of 6, 83 %) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, and in extreme preterm infants (5 of 5, 100 %). It was found that all the anthropometric parameters correlated well (r between 0.71 and 0.84) with the optimum ET length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of inadequate placement was high, especially in the ELBWs' and extreme preterm infants. Birth weight, sternal length, and shoulder umbilical length correlated significantly with optimum ET length and may guide optimal ET placement.
authors.affiliation: St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India, dveer08@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dharamveer
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tatwavedi
authors.forename: Saudamini Vijay
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Nesargi
authors.forename: Nachiket
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shankar
authors.forename: Suman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Swarna Rekha
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001824:Body Constitution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature / Q000254:growth & development; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
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