Diagnostic Role of Chest Ultrasound in Children Presenting With Respiratory Distress in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Compared to Chest X-ray

The use of POCUS in pediatrics is gaining momentum, and whilst pediatric specific data remains limited when compared to adult critical care, there is growing pediatric evidence demonstrating the high sensitivity and specificity of lung POCUS in the diagnosis of pneumonia, bronchiolitis, pleural effusion and pneumothorax. the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement cautions that "clinicians should be aware that point of care ultrasonography is better used as a rule in and not a rule out diagnostic modality".