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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
Pediatric chest x-ray in covid-19 infection
C Oterino Serrano1, E Alonso1, M Andrés1
1Pediatric Radiology Section. Hospital Universitario La Paz. Hospital Infantil, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Chest X-rays (CXR) in children with COVID-19 frequently show abnormalities, with peribronchial cuffing and ground-glass opacities being most common. Radiology aids in managing pediatric COVID-19 cases, especially severe ones.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Infectious Disease Imaging
- COVID-19 Diagnosis
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic impacts all age groups, including children.
- Pediatric COVID-19 diagnosis is challenging due to mild or asymptomatic presentations.
- Radiological imaging is crucial for supporting clinical and epidemiological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify common chest X-ray (CXR) patterns in pediatric COVID-19 patients.
- Assess interobserver agreement among radiologists for CXR findings.
- Determine the role of imaging in managing children with COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 44 pediatric patients (0-16 years) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2.
- Independent review of chest X-rays by two pediatric radiologists.
- Assessment of abnormality type, distribution, and evolution.
Main Results:
- 90% of CXRs exhibited abnormalities in children with COVID-19.
- Peribronchial cuffing (86.3%) and ground-glass opacities (GGOs) (50%) were the most frequent findings.
- Consolidations occurred in 18.1%; normal CXRs, pleural effusions, and cardiomediastinal contour changes were rare.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric COVID-19 patients commonly present with nonspecific CXR abnormalities.
- Good interobserver correlation was noted for consolidations, normal X-rays, and GGOs.
- Imaging plays a role in managing pediatric COVID-19, particularly for severe cases or those with risk factors.
Background:
The outbreak of COVID-19 has become pandemic. Pediatric population has been less studied than adult population and prompt diagnosis is challenging due to asymptomatic or mild episodes. Radiology is an important complement to clinical and epidemiological features.
Objective:
To establish the most common CXR patterns in children with COVID-19, evaluate interobserver correlation and to discuss the role of imaging techniques in the management of children.
Materials And Methods:
Forty-four patients between 0 and 16 years of age with confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection and CXR were selected. Two paediatric radiologists independently evaluated the images and assessed the type of abnormality, distribution and evolution when available.
Results:
Median age was 79.8 months (ranging from 2 weeks to 16 years of age). Fever was the most common symptom (43.5 %). 90 % of CXR showed abnormalities. Peribronchial cuffing was the most common finding (86.3 %) followed by GGOs (50 %). In both cases central distribution was more common than peripheral. Consolidations accounted for 18.1 %. Normal CXR, pleural effusion, and altered cardiomediastinal contour were the least common.
Conclusion:
The vast majority of CXR showed abnormalities in children with COVID-19. However, findings are nonspecific. Interobserver correlation was good in describing consolidations, normal x-rays and GGOs. Imaging techniques have a role in the management of children with known or suspected COVID-19, especially in those with moderate or severe symptoms or with underlying risk factors.
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