The Feasibility Of Lung Ultrasound Score For Assessing The Severity And Prognosis Of Infective Pneumonia In Children

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the lung ultrasound score in the evaluation of the severity and treatment effect of infective pneumonia in children,and to analyze the correlations between the lung ultrasound score and the parameters of the X-ray grading and the CRP level.Materials and methods:From January 2017 to February 2019,we enrolled 86 children with pneumonia as pneumonia group and 38 children with non-infectious pneumonia as control group.All the children were diagnosed in the department of pediatric respiratory medicine of Wuxi Children’s Hospital in Jiangsu.Linear array probes with a frequency of 9-12 MHz of VolusonE8 ultrasonic diagnostic instrument(produced by GE)and linear array probes with a frequency of 5-12 MHz of IU22 ultrasonic diagnostic instrument(produced by Philips)were used for evaluating all children’s lung ultrasound score.The results of ultrasound scoring and clinical data were statistically analyzed:(1)The difference of lung ultrasound score between the pneumonia group and the control group was compared;(2)According to the clinical diagnosis,the children with pneumonia were divided into bronchopneumonia group,pneumonia group and severe pneumonia group,and the differences in lung ultrasound score between the groups were compared.(3)To compare the differences in lung ultrasound scores of different X-ray grades;(4)Spearman rank correlation coefficient was applied to analyze the correlation between the lung ultrasound score,the X-ray grading and the CRP level,respectively.Results:1)The mean lung ultrasound score of pneumonia group and control group were(6.30±3.51)and(1.34±1.21),respectively.The difference between two groups has statistical significance(t=11.62,P<0.01).2)Comparing the lung ultrasound score of Bronchopneumonia group,Pneumonia group and Severe pneumonia group.The differences between the three groups were statistically significant(F=43.18,P<0.01).Pairwise comparison of lung ultrasound scores between the three groups showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05).3)There were statistically significant differences in lung ultrasound scores between the groups of X-ray grads(F=34.14,P<0.01).Pairwise comparison of lung ultrasound scores between the groups of X-ray grads showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05).4)The lung ultrasound score had a strong positive correlation with the X-ray grading(p=0.65,P<0.01).5)The lung ultrasound score had a moderate correlation with the level of CRP(p=0.47,P<0.01).Conclusion:1.It is feasible to assess the severity of pneumonia in children by lung ultrasound score.2.Dynamic monitoring of the lung ultrasound score can determine the course of pneumonia and provide a reference for clinical timely adjustment of pneumonia treatment.