Lung ultrasound in the diagnosis and monitoring of 30 children with
Coronavirus Disease 2019
Abstract
Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is causing of the
new global pandemic and is responsible for millions of infections and
thousands of deaths in the world. The lung ultrasound is a non-invasive
and easily repeatable tool and can be carried out by the pediatrician at
the bedside of children with a consequent reduction in the risk of
transmission of the virus. Objective: To determine whether the lung
ultrasound is a useful tool in identifying the signs of lung involvement
in children with COVID-19 and whether can monitor the course of the
disease. Methods: The study was made in the emergency department in a
tertiary level pediatric hospital. All patients with swab-confirmed
COVID-19 infection were subjected a lung ultrasound within 6 hours from
admission and after 96 hours. Results: Among a total of 30 children, 18
(60%) were males, 4 reported exertional dyspnea and only 1 chest pain.
The mean oxygen saturation was 98.8 ± 1.0 % in ambient air in emergency
department and no patient needed oxygen therapy during hospitalization.
After 96 hours we had observed ultrasound abnormality al the lung
ultrasound only in 20% of the children. We found a statistically
significant reduction in pleural irregularities (30% vs 16.7; p: .001)
and in B lines (50% vs 20%; p: .008). Conclusions: lung ultrasound is
safe and useful tool in detecting lung involvement in children with
COVID-19 and in monitoring these patients during the course of disease.