Gastric Aspirate Shake Test for Prediction of Hyaline Membrane Disease in Preterm Babies

Abstract

Introduction: Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD) remains a major cause of
neonatal death and morbidity in infants of less than 37 weeks gestation. HMD is
an important cause of RDS in newborns. To evaluate whether the Gastric Aspirate
Shake Test in Preterm babies can predict the likelihood of Hyaline Membrane
Disease.

Methods: The Shake Test for prediction of Hyaline Membrane Disease was
evaluated in 81 preterm newborns at NICU and Nursery, Patan Hospital. Over 0.5
ml of gastric aspirate was obtained within 1 hour of birth and mixed with an equal
amount of normal saline for 15 seconds; 1 ml of 95% alcohol was then added and
the mixture was agitated for the next 15 seconds. Then after 15 minutes, the airliquid interface was examined for bubbles.

Results: Among 81 neonates, 46 developed HMD. 56.8% (26/46) of neonates with
negative shake test developed HMD which was statistically significant(p<0.05).
The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value
were 96.29%, 76.47%, 86.6%, and 92.8% respectively.

Conclusion: The gastric aspirate shake test is a rapid, simple, and inexpensive
procedure and useful in predicting HMD and facilitating early transfer to the
neonatal intensive care unit.