Ultrasound Case Review

Lung Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric COVID-19

A Case Series

Kennedy, Thomas M. MD; Malia, Laurie DO; Dessie, Almaz MD; Kessler, David O. MD; Ng, Lorraine MD; Chiang, Elaine L. MD; Rabiner, Joni E. MD

Editor(s): Deanehan, J. Kate MD, RDMS, Associate Editor

Author Information
Pediatric Emergency Care 36(11):p 544-548, November 2020. | 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.

Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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