Lung ultrasound predicts the need of oxygen therapy and longer hospitalization in infants with acute bronchiolitis

Abstract

Background: Recent literature suggests that lung ultrasound might have a role in diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis Aim: Aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between a previous published ultrasound score (1) in the first 24 hours of hospital care and the clinical progression of bronchiolitis: need for supplemental oxygen, duration of oxygen therapy and hospital stay Methods: This was a prospective observational single-center study, conducted in a Paediatric Unit during the 2017-2018 epidemic periods All consecutive patients admitted with clinical signs of acute bronchiolitis underwent a lung ultrasound in the first 24 hours of hospital care. The lung involvement was graded based on ultrasound score During clinical progression, need for supplemental oxygen, duration of oxygen therapy, and duration of hospital stay was also recorded Results: The study included 92 patients, with a mean age of 1.18±1.01 months (range: 1.0 – 4.80). The mean ultrasound score in the first 24 hours of hospital care of patients that requires supplemental oxygen was 4.5±1.7 (range: 2.0 – 8.0), different from infant not needing oxygen (2.5±1.8; range: 0.0 – 6.0; t=4.9; p The duration of additional oxygen was not associated to the ultrasound score in the first 24 hours (p Conclusion: Lung ultrasound score predicts the need for supplemental oxygen and duration of hospital stay