Lung Ultrasound and Clinical Progression of Acute Bronchiolitis: A Prospective Observational Single-Center Study

Background and Objectives:Recent literature suggests that lung ultrasound might have a role in the diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between an ultrasound score and the clinical progression of bronchiolitis: need for supplemental oxygen, duration of oxygen therapy and hospital stay.Materials and Methods:This was a prospective observational single-center study, conducted in a pediatric unit during the 2017-2018 epidemic periods. All consecutive patients admitted with clinical signs of acute bronchiolitis, but without the need for supplemental oxygen, underwent a lung ultrasound in the first 24 h of hospital care. The lung involvement was graded based on the ultrasound score. During clinical progression, need for supplemental oxygen, duration of oxygen therapy and duration of hospital stay were recorded.Results:The final analysis included 83 patients, with a mean age of 4.5 +/- 4.1 months. The lung ultrasound score in patients that required supplemental oxygen during hospitalization was 4.5 +/- 1.7 (range: 2.0-8.0), different from the one of the not supplemented infants (2.5 +/- 1.8; range: 0.0-6.0;p< 0.001). Ultrasound score was associated with the need for supplemental oxygen (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.5-3.3;p< 0.0001). Duration of oxygen therapy was not associated with LUS score (p> 0.05). Length of hospital stay (coef. = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.2-0.7;p< 0.0001) correlates with LUS score.Conclusion:Lung ultrasound score correlates with the need of supplemental oxygen and length of hospital stay in infants with acute bronchiolitis.