Lung Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric COVID-19: A Case Series

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2020 Nov;36(11):544-548. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002254.

Abstract

Lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been shown to be useful for identifying pulmonary pathology in adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, pediatric literature for POCUS in COVID-19 is limited. The objective of this case series was to describe lung POCUS findings in pediatric patients with COVID-19. Three patients with COVID-19 who had lung POCUS performed in a pediatric emergency department were included. Point-of-care ultrasound revealed bilateral abnormalities in all patients, including pleural line irregularities, scattered and coalescing B-lines, consolidations, and pleural effusions. Additional pediatric studies are necessary to gain a broader understanding of COVID-19's sonographic appearance in this age group and to determine whether POCUS may be helpful to facilitate diagnosis and expedite management decisions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Child
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Young Adult