During the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), lung ultrasound has been used to diagnose and monitor respiratory condition. The aim of the study was to describe lung ultrasound findings in children with a COVID-19 infection. Patients younger than 18 years old and positive for COVID-19, admitted to pediatric tertiary referral hospital were included. They were divided into two groups depending on the presence of respiratory symptoms. Lung ultrasound results were categorized into three degrees of aeration loss: normal, moderate, and severe;and into three patterns: viral or bacterial pneumonia, and atelectasis.Sixteen patients were recruited. The median age was 11 years old (IQR 2.8-12). Four children (25%) required admission to the intensive care unit. Six patients (37.5%) presented with respiratory symptoms. All of them (100%) showed moderate-to-severe aeration loss on lung ultrasound. A viral pneumonia pattern was observed in four cases (66.6%). Ten patients (62.5%) presented with non-respiratory symptoms, lung ultrasound showed moderate-to-severe aeration loss in nine (90%). Three (30%) were diagnosed of multisystem inflammatory syndrome and lung ultrasounds showed severe aeration loss and bilateral pleural effusion. Conclusions: : Children with COVID-19 and respiratory symptoms showed a viral pneumonia pattern with moderate-to-severe aeration loss upon the lung ultrasound assessment.
Lung ultrasound findings in pediatric patients with COVID-19