Diagnostic Role of Chest Ultrasound in Children Presenting With Respiratory Distress in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Compared to Chest X-ray

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The use of POCUS in pediatrics is gaining momentum, and whilst pediatric specific data remains limited when compared to adult critical care, there is growing pediatric evidence demonstrating the high sensitivity and specificity of lung POCUS in the diagnosis of pneumonia, bronchiolitis, pleural effusion and pneumothorax. the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement cautions that clinicians should be aware that point of care ultrasonography is better used as a rule in and not a rule out diagnostic modality.

Detailed Description
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In recent years, the use of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), understood as the bedside ultrasound examination of the patient by the physician in charge, has been increasing in paediatric patients for the investigation of pulmonary, pleural and diaphragmatic disease, following its use in adult patients, in whom the technique has been developing for more than a decade, and whose ultrasound semiotics can be safely extrapolated to the paediatric age group. The unossified costal cartilage and sternum and thinner adipose subcutaneous tissue in children provide ideal acoustic windows. This study aims to compare the use of bedside lung US to portable chest X-ray regarding sensitivity, specificity, safety and accuracy in identifying the etiology of respiratory distress among children admitted to the PICU.

Official Title
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Diagnostic Role of Chest Ultrasound in Children Presenting With Respiratory Distress in PICU Compared to Chest X-ray

Conditions
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Pediatric Respiratory Diseases

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: chest ultrasound


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age >1month & <18years old All cases with clinically respiratory distress admitted in PICU Assiut University Children Hospital either connected to mechanical ventilation or not. Exclusion Criteria: Neonate. Congenital anomalies of respiratory tract. Cardiac diseases either congenital or acquired. Traumatic patients.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 1 Month
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Diagnostic Test: chest ultrasound|A point-of-care lung ultrasound exam will be performed within 24h of admission to PICU and serial follow up according to each case. chest x-ray will be performed for comparison with ultrasound findings.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care lung ultrasound examination in identifying the etiology of respiratory distress among patients admitted to the PICU. | The sensitivity and specificity of the lung ultrasound in identifying the etiology of respiratory distress will be determined by comparison with bedside chest x ray. | baseline |