Lung ultrasound in children with asthma exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a noninvasive radiation-free imaging tool used to evaluate respiratory conditions, particularly in children and adolescents with asthma exacerbations. However, its role in diagnosing and managing asthma exacerbations remains unclear. We aimed to demonstrate LUS findings in pediatric asthma exacerbations, focusing on patterns such as B-lines, consolidation, and pleural abnormalities.

A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Databases such as MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE were reviewed. The eligibility criterion was observational studies on LUS for pediatric asthma exacerbations. Bias risk was assessed using a validated tool. Data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, with findings summarized and meta-analysis conducted.

Five studies involving 192 participants were included in the analysis. The LUS findings included B-lines, consolidation, and pleural abnormalities. Meta-analysis revealed that 52.0% (95% confidence interval: 23.0-80.3) of the cases demonstrated positive LUS findings.

LUS exhibited potential for diagnosing asthma exacerbations, particularly in identifying B-lines, consolidation, and pleural abnormalities. However, variability in detection rates was observed across different studies, which might be due to the differences in study populations and criteria. Despite these limitations, LUS can be a valuable tool for managing asthma exacerbations.

www.crd.york.ac.uk/Prospero identifier CRD42021244729.