Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM) Parameters in Pediatric COVID-19 Patients: A Case Series.

Background: The increase in the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has put many children at risk around the world. Some of these patients are in critical condition and present with shock symptoms and cardiac system problems. The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a non-invasive device that determines a person's cardiac output using continuous wave Doppler ultrasound. Objectives: The current study aims to present the clinical and laboratory manifestations of children with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to use a USCOM device for hemodynamic assessment to record and review their clinical information. Patients and Methods: We introduce 22 cases of children infected with coronavirus admitted to a public hospital in Iran. We examined the hemodynamics of these patients using USCOM and reported our experience with pediatric patients presenting with shock. This was a retrospective study, and data were collected using medical records. Results: In this study, 22 pediatric cases (10 girls and 12 boys) infected with coronavirus were reported. The youngest was 3 months old and the oldest was 14 years old. The most commonly observed symptoms were low back pain (N = 15), fever (N = 12), and seizures (N = 10). We found that the hemodynamics of the patients, including systemic vascular resistance (SVR), were abnormal and were associated with hypotension and unstable hemodynamics. The children responded well to the administration of an intravenous norepinephrine drip. Conclusion: This study presents detailed clinical and laboratory results of 22 children with COVID-19. Additionally, their hemodynamic status was measured and presented using the USCOM device. This information can provide physicians with a comprehensive understanding of the clinical history of patients referred with COVID-19, thereby improving their knowledge and care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]