loading page

PEDIATRIC CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019: HOW TO ASSESS CHEST DISEASE?
  • +1
  • Adele Corcione,
  • Federica Annunziata,
  • Melissa Borrelli,
  • Francesca Santamaria
Adele Corcione
Federico II University Hospital

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Federica Annunziata
Federico II University
Author Profile
Melissa Borrelli
Federico II University
Author Profile
Francesca Santamaria
Federico II University
Author Profile

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a serious health problem worldwide. In the pediatric population, currently available epidemiological data seem reassuring as the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is much lower than in adults, with less critical cases and very few deaths. At present, there are no evidence-based studies on chest imaging in pediatric COVID-19. Chest X-rays showed non-specific findings and chest computed tomography (CT) exhibited similar, but fairly less severe CT changes compared to adult. Moreover, in approximately 50% of pediatric patients no correlation was found between chest CT imaging results and clinical characteristics. Lung ultrasound is rarely used, despite its unquestionable benefits as it can be performed at bed-side with a portable device, which minimizes virus transmission, is cheap and can be easily repeated. In conclusion, the chest imaging use in children, who are typically spared from severe infection, deserve recommendations different than adults also considering the increased risk of radiations exposure. In view of this, pediatric comparative studies among different chest imaging techniques, either less or more invasive, are urgently needed possibly after standardization of interpretation criteria of lung ultrasound.
05 May 2020Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
05 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
05 May 2020Assigned to Editor
06 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 May 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 May 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
20 May 20201st Revision Received
25 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
25 May 2020Assigned to Editor
25 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 May 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 May 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
Aug 2020Published in Pediatric Pulmonology volume 55 issue 8 on pages 1876-1877. 10.1002/ppul.24874