Point-of-care lung ultrasound to differentiate bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric age: a multicenter prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT: Distinguishing between bacterial and viral etiologies in children with Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) is challenging. This study investigates the association between lung Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) characteristics and the etiologic diagnosis of LRTI. This multicenter, prospective, observational study included children admitted with suspected LRTI to three pediatric centers in Italy. Lung POCUS was performed within six hours of clinical diagnosis, alongside collection of clinical, laboratory, microbiological, and radiological data. Patients were stratified into groups based on presumed microbial etiology: bacterial pneumonia (confirmed or probable) and viral pneumonia (confirmed or probable). 162 children were admitted, 90 with viral pneumonia (74 confirmed, 16 probable),

SUBMITTER: Morello R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12508198 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature