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.