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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
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Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
An infant with respiratory distress.
Irfan Ali1, Muhammad Waseem, Gerrad Augustine
1Department of Pediatrics, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY 10457, USA.
Pediatric Emergency Care
|September 18, 2008
Summary
Infants with undiagnosed heart conditions can mimic bronchiolitis, leading to misdiagnosis. Early recognition of critical congenital heart disease is vital for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Nonspecific respiratory symptoms in infants can mask serious underlying cardiac conditions.
- Bronchiolitis is a common diagnosis for infant respiratory distress, potentially leading to misdiagnosis of critical congenital heart disease.
Observation:
- A 2-month-old infant presented with respiratory distress unresponsive to standard albuterol treatment.
- The infant's clinical presentation mimicked common respiratory infections like bronchiolitis.
Findings:
- The infant was diagnosed with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA).
- ALCAPA is a rare but critical congenital heart defect that can present with nonspecific symptoms.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering cardiac etiologies in infants with persistent respiratory symptoms.
- Emphasizes the need for thorough cardiac evaluation to avoid delayed diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease.
- Underscores the potential for misdiagnosis of congenital heart defects as common pediatric respiratory illnesses.
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