Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

Clinical presentations and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome in children

K L E Hon1, C W Leung, W T F Cheng

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Special Adminstrative Region, China.

Lancet (London, England)
|May 28, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in children presents with fever, cough, and lung changes. Younger children experienced a less severe clinical course compared to teenagers and adults.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) significantly impacted Hong Kong.
  • Children, particularly those in households and healthcare settings, are at high risk for SARS transmission.
  • Limited data exist on SARS clinical presentation and course in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively investigate the clinical course of SARS in the first ten pediatric patients during the early Hong Kong epidemic.
  • To describe the clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes, and disease severity in children with SARS.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of ten children diagnosed with SARS in Hong Kong.
  • Clinical data collection including symptoms, radiographic findings, and laboratory results (lymphopenia).
  • Documentation of treatments administered (ribavirin, corticosteroids) and requirement for respiratory support.

Main Results:

  • All children presented with persistent fever, cough, progressive radiographic chest changes, and lymphopenia.
  • No short-term adverse effects were observed with ribavirin and corticosteroid treatments.
  • Four teenagers required oxygen therapy, and two needed mechanical ventilation; younger children did not require supplemental oxygen.

Conclusions:

  • SARS in children is characterized by fever, cough, and lung involvement.
  • Younger children appear to have a less aggressive clinical course of SARS compared to adolescents and adults.
  • High-dose ribavirin and corticosteroids were safely administered to pediatric SARS patients.

More Related Videos

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery06:09

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery

Published on: February 14, 2019

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)06:22

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Published on: April 7, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III01:30

Acute Respiratory Failure-III

Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term condition marked by persistent and only partially reversible airflow limitation. It involves two overlapping conditions—chronic bronchitis and emphysema—which often co-appear but differ in dominant symptoms and underlying mechanisms.Chronic Bronchitis FeaturesChronic bronchitis presents with a persistent productive cough and thick, sometimes purulent mucus due to airway inflammation, enlarged mucus glands, and goblet cell...