Isatou Sarr

This represents a deeply important and timely initiative in global health. There is still much to learn about rapid diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, neonatal immune responses, and low-cost technologies for early detection in resource-limited settings. By creating a platform dedicated to these challenges, the society may help stimulate interdisciplinary research and support the translation of scientific discoveries into practical clinical solutions.

The expansion of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) into critical care, emergency medicine, and neonatology has intensified concerns about it as a potential vector for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). In the post-COVID era marked by heightened awareness of fomite transmission, environmental persistence of pathogens, and increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), POCUS devices represent a uniquely mobile, high-contact interface between patients and clinicians. Surfaces such as probes, gel containers, touchscreens, and cables may facilitate cross-transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) if disinfection practices are inconsistent or suboptimal. This raises urgent questions about microbial ecology in clinical environments and the adequacy of current infection prevention frameworks. Can plasmid-mediated resistance spread be linked epidemiologically to contaminated medical equipment interfaces such as ultrasound probes? Did pandemic-driven PPE and disinfection changes inadvertently select for more resilient environmental organisms on reusable medical equipment? Can single-use probe covers or antimicrobial-coated ultrasound surfaces significantly reduce MDRO transmission risk without compromising image quality? Should infection risk classification for POCUS be upgraded in hospital infection control guidelines to reflect its cross-patient mobility? Can single-use probe covers or antimicrobial-coated ultrasound surfaces significantly reduce MDRO transmission risk without compromising image quality? Are hospital wastewater systems and environmental reservoirs contributing to re-contamination of disinfected ultrasound equipment? What behavioral and cognitive barriers contribute most to inconsistent POCUS disinfection compliance among healthcare workers? Many thanks, Isatou

This initiative by EBNEO plays an important role in advancing evidence-based practice by disseminating concise and critical #NeoEBM summaries of high-quality original research articles. Such efforts contribute significantly to knowledge translation, support clinical decision-making, and promote continuous professional development within the neonatal and pediatric research community. Given the emerging evidence that infants with mild HIE may experience significant neurodevelopmental impairment, should therapeutic hypothermia and advanced MRI assessment become standard practice for all cases of mild HIE, or should treatment remain selective until stronger randomized controlled trial evidence becomes available?