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.