Background: Multiple breath washout (MBW) is increasingly used in the clinical assessment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Guidelines for MBW quality control (QC) were developed primarily for retrospective assessment and central overreading. We assessed whether real-time QC of MBW data during the measurement improves test acceptability in the clinical setting. Methods: We implemented standardized real-time QC and reporting of MBW data at the time of the measurement in the clinical pediatric lung function laboratory in Bern, Switzerland in children with CF aged 4-18 years. We assessed MBW test acceptability before (31 tests; 89 trials) and after (32 tests; 97 trials) implementation of real-time QC and compared agreement between reviewers. Further, we assessed the implementation of real-time QC at a secondary center in Zurich, Switzerland. Results: Before implementation of real-time QC in Bern, only 68% of clinical MBW tests were deemed acceptable following retrospective QC by an experienced reviewer. After implementation of real-time QC, MBW test acceptability improved to 84% in Bern. In Zurich, after implementation of real-time QC, test acceptability improved from 50% to 90%. Further, the agreement between MBW operators and an experienced reviewer for test acceptability was 97% in Bern and 100% in Zurich. Conclusion: Real-time QC of MBW data at the time of measurement is feasible in the clinical setting and results in improved test acceptability.

Introduction: E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) results from inhaling the aerosol of e-cigarettes and has similar clinical features to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). EVALI case counts since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. Methods: A retrospective electronic health record chart review of adolescents hospitalized at one institution with EVALI was conducted. Clinical characteristics and hospital course of patients hospitalized during the pandemic were compared to those pre-pandemic. Results: The clinical presentation of adolescents hospitalized prior-to (n=19) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=22) were similar with respect to constitutional, respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms. All patients hospitalized during the pandemic were tested for COVID-19 at least once. Only one patient had a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test result. 31 out of 39 patients treated with corticosteroids had clinical improvement within 24 hours (79%). Patients hospitalized during the pandemic had a shorter median length of stay (5 vs 7 days, p<0.01), and were less often discharged with home oxygen (1 vs 6 patients, p=0.04). Pulmonary function tests improved pre-to post-corticosteroid treatment and post-corticosteroid to follow-up. Conclusions: Eliciting a history of vaping in adolescents presenting with constitutional, respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms is important to identify EVALI cases, which have continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A shorter length of stay with less need for mechanical ventilation and home oxygen in adolescents hospitalized during the pandemic may reflect increased familiarity with EVALI characteristics. Corticosteroids led to clinical and pulmonary function improvement.

Cysticercosis in humans is a serious public health problem, predominantly affecting low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cysticercosis, the infection with the larval form of the pork tapeworm, Taenia Solium has high prevalence in areas where there are poor sanitary conditions and domestic pig without adequate veterinary control. Humans are the definitive host and pigs are the main source of infection. Human infection occurs when pork is eaten raw or undercooked. Ingested eggs or proglottids hatch into larvae form, which penetrate the intestinal wall into the blood stream and migrate into different organs including subcutaneous tissues, brain, eyes and rarely heart or lung, where they mature into cysticerci. Pulmonary cysticercosis has been rarely described; case reports are predominantly in adults and are usually of disseminated disease. In children the data are very scarce, with a single case report of a two-year old child with pulmonary infiltration, eosinophilia and subcutaneous cysticercosis.

Objective: Asthma is a recognized comorbidity in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). It increases risk of acute chest syndrome (ACS), vaso-occlusive episodes, and early mortality. We aim to determine whether evaluation and management of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and asthma by a pulmonologist reduces rate of asthma exacerbation and ACS. Methods: The study included 192 patients with SCD (0-21 years) followed at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Hematology between 01/01/2015 and 12/31/2018 with a diagnosis of asthma, wheeze, or cough. Patients were placed in two groups: those evaluated by a pulmonologist (SCD-A-P) and those not (SCD-A). Rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation and ACS were compared between groups and before/after initial pulmonology visit. Results: SCD-A-P (n=70) had lower baseline pulmonary function, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to SCD-A (n=122). SCD-A-P had a higher average rate of hospital visits for asthma exacerbation and ACS per year compared to SCD-A: 0.84 [0.56-1.12] versus 0.31 [0.18-0.43], (p<0.001). For SCD-A-P patients with at least one hospital visit (n=48), the average rate decreased from 3.93 [1.57-6.29] before initial pulmonary visit to 0.85 [0.48-1.23] after the visit (p=0.014). Conclusion: SCD-A-P had more severe baseline disease and higher rates of ED visits and hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation and ACS compared to SCD-A, but the rates significantly decreased following pulmonology consultation. These findings support the pulmonologist’s role in the multidisciplinary care of SCD patients. Further studies are needed to help establish evidence-based asthma guidelines for children with SCD.

Background: Bronchiolitis is a viral respiratory illness most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). COVID-19 disrupted typical patterns of viral transmission. Our study aimed to compare low value care for bronchiolitis in a tertiary emergency department (ED) in the United States over the previous five years. Methods: This was a descriptive cohort study through a retrospective chart review from 2017-2022 analyzing ED visits for bronchiolitis including disposition, disease severity, chest radiographs, albuterol, and high flow nasal cannula. A year was a 12 month period from March to February. Results: In the three years prior to the pandemic, there were over 2000 ED visits for bronchiolitis per year (3.1% of all ED visits), which decreased to 450 visits for bronchiolitis (1% of all visits) in 2020. Human rhino/enterovirus was the most common virus detected (92%). Admission rates, albuterol use, high flow nasal cannula use, and chest radiographs were all higher during the first year of the pandemic. The summer of 2021 had the highest visits across the 5 study years (2743, 4.0% of all visits) with a return to previous rates of resource utilization. Conclusions: During the early pandemic, measures to halt the spread of COVID-19 also altered the transmission of RSV and emergency visits for bronchiolitis. There was an increase in lower value care while the volume was low and rhinovirus was the dominant virus detected. As restrictions lifted in 2021, there was a large resurgence of RSV in the atypical summer months with a return of previous rates of resource utilization.

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world, leading to government measures associated with a negative impact on mental health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and resilience in Dutch people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) or primary ciliary dyskinesia (PwPCD) and their caregivers during the pandemic. Methods. Adolescents (12-17 years), adults and caregivers of children (0-17 years) with CF or PCD completed questionnaires on depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7) and resilience (BRS) between September 2020 and February 2021. The psychosocial impact of COVID-19 was measured by the Exposure and Family Impact Survey (CEFIS) Part 2. Mixed model analyses compared PHQ-9 and GAD-7 results to participants’ pre-pandemic scores. Results. 110 participants (10 PwCF, 31 PwPCD, 52 CF caregivers, 17 PCD caregivers) completed questionnaires during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic outcomes were available for 87 participants. The prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scores ≥5) in PwCF and PwPCD and their caregivers before and during the pandemic was high, with an increase in depression in PwCF (2.75; 95%-CI: 0.82 to 4.68) and increase in anxiety in CF caregivers (1.03; 0.09 to 1.96) during the pandemic. Resilience was within the normal range for all groups, CEFIS scores corresponded to a low to normal impact. Conclusion. PwCF and PwPCD and their caregivers were at high risk of increased depression and anxiety symptoms both before and during the pandemic, which emphasizes the importance of mental health screening and psychological care in CF and PCD.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and burden of disease of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in children under the age of 2 months. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted between March 2021, and February 2022. All children under the age of 2 months and tested for SARS-CoV-2 were included. The frequency of SARS-CoV-2, of other respiratory viruses and the burden of disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses were evaluated. Results: 727 children with an RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were included (mean age: 0.9 months (±0.6); boys: 57%); 514 (71%) in the emergency room and 213 (29%) in hospital. Among them, 62 (8.5%) had a positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2, more often in the Omicron period (23%) than in the Alpha period (4%). Of the 565 (78%) with a multiplex RT-PCR test for other viruses, 325 (58%) were positive. Children with a positive SARS-CoV-2 were less likely to have required respiratory support (p=.001), enteral nutrition (p=.03), or intensive care admission (p=.01) and had a shorter hospital stay than children with other respiratory viruses (5d vs. 7d, p=.007). Conclusion: In this young population of children, SARS-CoV-2 infection was less frequent and less severe than other viral respiratory infections.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the move towards home spirometry monitoring, including in children. Our aim was to determine whether the remote supervision of spirometry by a physiologist improves the technical quality and failure rate of the manoeuvres. Method: Children with cystic fibrosis who had been provided with NuvoAir home spirometers were randomly allocated to either supervised or unsupervised home spirometry following a detailed training session. Home spirometry was performed every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Tests were assigned a quality factor (QF) using our laboratory grading system as per ATS/ERS standards, with tests marked from A to D, or Fail. In our laboratory we aim for QF A in all spirometry tests, but report results of QF B or C with a cautionary note. QF A was therefore the primary outcome, and QF A-C the secondary outcome. Results: 61 patients were enrolled; 166 measurements were obtained in the supervised group, and 153 in the unsupervised group. Significantly more measurements achieved QF A in the supervised compared to unsupervised group (89% vs 74%; p= <0.001) whilst proportions reaching grade A-C were similar (99% vs 95%; p=0.1). All significant declines in spirometry results had a clinical rather than technical reason. Family/patient feedback for both arms was very positive. Conclusion: These results suggest that home spirometry in children should ideally be remotely supervised by a physiologist, but acceptable results can be obtained if resources do not allow this, provided that training is delivered and results monitored according to our protocol.

We report a case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in a pediatric patient with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) after a somewhat unusual presentation. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are a relatively rare entity in the general population, and are even less common amongst the pediatric population. Our patient’s chronic history of vague and systemic symptoms paired with social and environmental stressors contributed to her convoluted picture and late diagnosis. In addition, her T1DM adds an interesting element to her case, begging the question of whether her propensity for autoimmune conditions played a role in the development of this disease. With this case, we hope to increase clinician level of suspicion and promote early diagnosis and treatment for future pediatric patients.

Introduction Despite the evidence supporting the use of intravenous Magnesium Sulfate (MS) in acute asthma; this drug continues being considered as the second line in pediatric acute asthma exacerbations. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the MS in acute asthma. Methods A decision tree model was used to estimate the Cost-utility study that compared MS versus standard treatment (control group) in an infant with acute asthma in the emergency setting. Cost data were obtained from a retrospective study on asthma from tertiary centers in Rionegro, Colombia, while utilities were collected from the literature. The analysis was carried out from a societal perspective. Results The model showed that MS for treating pediatric patient with acute asthma, was associated with lower total cost than standard therapy (US $1149 vs US $1598 average cost per patient), and higher QALYs ( 0.60 vs 0.52 average per patient); showing dominance. the probabilty that MS provides a more cost-effective use of resources compared with standard therapy exceeds 99% for all willingness to pay thresholds Conclusion MS in emergency settings was cost-effective for the hospital treatment of an infant with asthma moderate or severe. Our study provides evidence that should be used by decision-makers to improve clinical practice guidelines and should be replicated to validate their results in other middle-income countries.

Abstract. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are bacterial pathogens frequently associated with pulmonary complications and disease progression in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. However, these bacteria increasingly show multiple resistance to antibiotics, necessitating novel management strategies. One possibility is phage therapy, where lytic bacteriophages (phages; bacteria-specific viruses) are administered to kill target bacterial pathogens. Recent publication of case reports of phage-therapy treatment of antibiotic-resistant lung infections in CF has garnered significant attention. These cases exemplify the renewed interest in phage therapy, as an older concept that is newly updated to include rigorous collection and analysis of patient data to assess clinical benefit, while informing the development of clinical trials. As outcomes of these trials become public, the results will valuably gauge the potential usefulness of phage therapy to address the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. In addition, we highlight the further need for basic research on accurately predicting the different responses of target bacterial pathogens when phages are administered alone, sequentially or as mixtures (cocktails), and whether within-cocktail interactions among phages hold consequences for the efficacy of phage therapy in patient treatment.

Childhood interstitial and diffuse lung disease (chILD) encompasses a broad spectrum of rare disorders. The Children’s Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease Research Network (chILDRN) established a prospective registry to advance knowledge regarding etiology, phenotype, natural history, and management of these disorders. This longitudinal, observational, multicenter registry utilizes single-IRB reliance agreements, with participation from 25 chILDRN centers across the U.S. Clinical data are collected and managed using the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) electronic data platform. We report the study design and some elements of the initial Registry enrollment cohort, which includes 683 subjects with a broad range of chILD diagnoses. The most common diagnosis reported was neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI), with 155 (23%) subjects. Components of underlying disease biology were identified by enrolling sites, with cohorts of interstitial fibrosis, immune dysregulation, and airway disease being most commonly reported. Prominent morbidities affecting enrolled children included home supplemental oxygen use (63%) and failure to thrive (46%). This Registry is the largest longitudinal chILD cohort in the U.S. to date, providing a powerful framework for collaborating centers committed to improving the understanding and treatment of these rare disorders.

Mainstem bronchial atresia (MBA) is a rare and fatal entity with no survivors reported to date. We describe a neonate born at 36 weeks gestational age (GA) with right MBA who underwent successful slide tracheobronchoplasty at 32 days of life. It is theorized that during fetal life a transient fistulous connection developed, allowing right lung decompression and left lung development.

Objectives: Discharging a child home on long term ventilation (LTV) via tracheostomy is complex and involves multiple healthcare providers across healthcare sectors. To date, patient and family feedback of a newly developed LTV discharge pathway has been anecdotal. Our objective was to explore the perceptions of family caregivers (FCs) that have completed the LTV pathway to home with respect to their: (1) experience with transitions across the pathway (2) perceptions of competency attainment and, (3) viewed opportunities for improvement. Methods: We conducted 11 semi structured interviews with FCs. Interviews focused on FCs experience with the training process, perception of competency from a knowledge and skill perspective and opportunities for improvement. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Results: Eight mothers and 3 fathers of 10 children participated. Six primary themes were identified: 1) making an informed decision, 2) transitioning to rehabilitation, 3) building capacity for self-care, 4) coordinating case management, 5) readying for discharge home and, 6) experiencing home care. Conclusion: Overall, FCs felt that the preparation and transition support obtained through the application of a standardized LTV discharge pathway allowed successful attainment of new knowledge and skills necessary to care for their child with LTV at home.

Identification of Pediatric Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Post Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Surveillance Is the KeyShivanthan Shanthikumar1,2,3, Liam Welsh1, 2, Nicole Westrupp1,2, Theresa Cole3,4, Katherine B Frayman1,2,3, Colin F Robertson1,2,3, Sarath C Ranganathan1,2,3Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, AustraliaRespiratory Diseases, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, AustraliaDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, AustraliaAllergy and Immunology, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, AustraliaCorresponding Author; Dr Shivanthan Shanthikumar; Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; shivanthan.shanthikumar@rch.org.auAcknowledgements; The authors have no conflicts of interest to declareDear Editor,We read with great interest the article by Walther et al1 regarding long term outcomes of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in children following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The authors are to be commended on their study as it is an important contribution to a field where there is a relative paucity of evidence. Given the increasing numbers of HSCT being performed and improved outcomes, timely identification and management of pulmonary complications such as BOS is vital.In particular, the study used multibreath washout to calculate lung clearance index, a more sensitive test for BOS than traditional spirometry.2 In addition, the identification of three trajectories for children diagnosed with BOS; rapid persistent decline, persistent obstructive disease with secondary restriction, and resolution, is an important and novel description. This more nuanced understanding of the natural history of BOS in this setting will be an important consideration when designing therapeutic intervention trials. Given there are now ample data showing that around 4.8-6.5% children post HSCT will develop BOS, with significant associated morbidity and mortality, well designed intervention trials should be strongly considered.There are however limitations of Walther et al’s study that warrant more detailed discussion, as they limit the applicability of this single centre retrospective chart review to wider clinical practice. The manuscript does not adequately describe the institution’s clinical practice regarding evaluation for BOS post-HSCT, although the authors acknowledge a “lack of a standardised follow up protocol for lung function. ” This is not in keeping with current international practice. International guidelines3-5 consistently recommend scheduled lung function surveillance. In addition, in a recent survey of HSCT physicians and pediatric pulmonologists from North America and Australasia, 71.4% reported that a protocol for monitoring lung function post HSCT existed at their hospital and 53.6% reported adhering “well” or “very well” to surveillance protocols.6 A retrospective review of a centre with a screening program in place showed 75.2% of patients had a lung function test 12 months post HSCT.7 These data indicate that the majority of HSCT centres have a screening protocol in place, and within the limitations of self-reported and single centre data, protocols are adhered too. A potential explanation for the lack of a protocol in the study is that the review period started in 2000, which predates the guidelines. However, if the results are to influence contemporary practice, clinicians must be able to relate the reported findings to current standards of care. In the absence of a standardised follow up protocol, it would be useful if the authors reported the proportion of the 526 eligible patients who underwent lung function assessment, and what triggered a referral for testing (i.e. clinical symptoms, graft vs. host disease (GVHD) in another organ). If a high proportion of patients underwent testing then their findings will be more comparable to current international practice, however if only a small proportion underwent testing this is a significant limitation.The prevalence of BOS in the current study is lower than that reported in the wider literature. We suspect their prevalence is underestimated. The overall GVHD rate (45%) is higher than might be expected for a cohort that includes nearly 50% matched sibling donors.8, although GVHD grading is not reported. Given the high GVHD rate in this cohort it would be expected that the prevalence of BOS should also be higher or at least in keeping with the literature. The lack of a standardised protocol for screening lung function would likely lead to an underestimation of the prevalence of BOS. It is well established that the early phases of BOS are often asymptomatic and diagnosed based on lung function abnormality.9 All 14 BOS cases in this study were symptomatic, suggesting that asymptomatic early cases of BOS cases may have been missed due to lung function not being performed. In particular, this would underestimate BOS cases which follow the resolution trajectory as well as potentially the persistent obstruction trajectory. It also would affect two of the key conclusions of the paper; that BOS incidence is low and that BOS is associated with high mortality.In summary, the article by Walther et al is a useful contribution to what is an area of growing clinical importance. Strengths of the study include the use of the most sensitive test of small airway function (multibreath washout with calculation of the lung clearance index) and description of three trajectories post BOS diagnosis. However, the lack of a formal surveillance program and likely resultant underestimation of BOS cases is a significant limitation that should be acknowledged before efforts are made to prevent or attenuate lung function decline in BOS

Rationale: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS) algorithms in the USA vary by state. Differences in CF NBS algorithms could potentially affect the detection rate of CF newborns and lead to disparities in CF diagnosis amongst different racial and ethnic groups. Objectives: Generate a database of CF NBS algorithms in the USA and identify processes that may potentially lead to missed diagnoses or lead to health care disparities. Methods: We sent an online survey to state and regional CF and NBS leaders about the type and threshold of immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) cutoff used and methods used for CFTR gene variant analysis. Follow-up by email and phone was done to ensure a response from every state, clarify responses, and resolve discordances . Results: There was wide variation in the NBS algorithms employed by different states. Approximately half the states use a floating IRT cutoff and half use a fixed IRT cutoff. CFTR variant analysis also varied widely, with 2 states analyzing only for the F508del variant and 4 states incorporating CFTR gene sequencing. The other states used CFTR variant panels ranging from 23 to 365 CFTR variants. Conclusions: CF NBS algorithms vary widely amongst the different states in the USA, which affects the ability of CF NBS to diagnose newborn infants with CF consistently and uniformly across the country and potentially may miss more infants with CF from minority populations. Our results identify an important area for quality improvement in CF NBS.

Objective: Investigate the cardiorespiratory effects of non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA), non-synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) during the critical period shortly after extubation. Hypothesis: Levels of non-invasive pressure support provided and/or presence of synchronization can affect cardiorespiratory parameters. Study design: Randomized crossover trial. Patient-subject selection: Infants with birth weight (BW) ≤ 1250g undergoing their first planned extubation were randomly assigned to all 3 modes following extubation. Methodology: Electrocardiogram and electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) were recorded during 30min on each mode. Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), diaphragmatic activity (Edi area, breath area, amplitude, inspiratory and expiratory times) and respiratory variability (RV) were compared between modes. Results: 23 enrolled infants had full data recordings and analysis: median [IQR] gestational age = 25.9 weeks [25.2-26.4], BW = 760g [595-900], and post-natal age 7 [4-19] days. There were no differences in HRV parameters between modes. During NIV-NAVA and NIPPV, diaphragmatic activity was significantly lower and RV higher than NCPAP. Delivered peak inflation pressures (PIPs) were lower during NIV-NAVA than NIPPV (14 cmH2O [13-16] vs cmH2O 16 [16-17]; p<0.001). However, due to a significantly higher proportion of assisted breaths (99% [92-103] vs. 51% [38-82]; p<0.001) NIV-NAVA provided a higher mean airway pressure (MAP)(9.4 cmH2O [8.2-10.0] vs. 8.2 cmH2O [7.6-9.3]; p=0.002). Conclusions: NIV-NAVA and NIPPV applied shortly after extubation were associated with positive cardiorespiratory effects. This effect was more evident during NIV-NAVA where patient-ventilator synchronization provided a higher MAP with lower PIPs.

Abstract Background Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been used to diagnose neonatal respiratory diseases. However, few simple method has been reported to predict respiratory support needs(RSN). Our aim was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a semiquantitative LUS assessment method predicting respiratory support need. Methods We conducted a prospective diagnostic accuracy study following the STARD (Standards for the Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) guidelines at a tertiary level academic hospital between 2019 and 2020. After birth, infants were transferred to a monitoring room to determine NICU treatment need. 310 late preterm and term infants with respiratory symptoms enrolled. The LUS assessment was performed for each participant at one of the following times: 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after birth. Reliability was tested by ROC analysis. Surfactant administration and other RSNs were based on the 2019 European guidelines as well as the infant’s clinical condition. Results 74 have RSN, and 236 were healthy according to a 3-day follow-up confirmation. Six LUS imaging patterns were found. Two “high-risk” patterns were highly correlated with RSN(area under the curve (AUC) = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98, p<0.001). This accuracy is supported by the AUC of “low-risk” patterns (0.89, 95% CI, 0.85-0.93, p<0.001). The predictive value of LUS is greater than that of only using respiratory symptoms (e.g., respiratory rate) (AUC of LUS vs AUC of respiratory rate, p<0.01). Conclusions LUS is a useful tool to predict RSN and is more reliable than assessments based on respiratory symptoms alone.