Abstract
We used the lung ultrasound score (LUSS) to analyze the ultrasound
images and assess the lesions and aeration loss in 12 lung regions of 11
COVID-19 neonates born to mother with COVID-19 and 11 age- and
gender-matched controls. In the COVID-19 group, 132 regions were
reviewed and 83 regions (62.8%) detected abnormalities. Compared with
controls, COVID-19 neonates showed more increased B-lines (83 regions),
abnormal A-lines (83 regions), abnormal pleural line (29 regions) and
subpleural consolidation (5 regions). among which 49 regions (37%) were
normal, 73 regions (55%) scored 1, and 10 regions (8%) scored 2. The
LUSS was significantly higher in COVID-19 group. All the lesions were
bilateral, multiple regions involved, and mainly located in bilateral
lower lobes and right middle lobe. The intra-observer and inter-observer
reproducibility of LUSS were excellent. Lung ultrasound is a noninvasive
and convenient method for the assessment of neonatal COVID-19 pneumonia
and presents typical signs. LUSS provides valuable semi-quantitative
information about the lesion distribution and severity.