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Radiological Findings of COVID-19 in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Source :
-
Journal of tropical pediatrics [J Trop Pediatr] 2021 Jul 02; Vol. 67 (3). - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: The majority of the children with SARS-CoV-2 infection present with respiratory symptoms, hence various chest imaging modalities have been used in the management. Knowledge about the radiological findings of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in children is limited. Hence, we systematically synthesized the available data that will help in better management of COVID-19 in children.<br />Methods: Four different electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CENTRAL) were searched for articles reporting radiological findings in children with COVID-19. Studies reporting thoracic radiological findings of COVID-19 in patients aged <19 years were included. A random-effect meta-analysis (wherever feasible) was performed to provide pooled estimates of various findings.<br />Results: A total of 1984 records were screened of which forty-six studies (923 patients) fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan was the most frequently used imaging modality. While one-third of the patients had normal scans, a significant proportion (19%) of clinically asymptomatic children had radiological abnormalities too. Unilateral lung involvement (55%) was frequent when compared with bilateral and ground-glass opacities were the most frequent (40%) definitive radiological findings. Other common radiological findings were non-specific patchy shadows (44%), consolidation (23%), halo sign (26%), pulmonary nodules and prominent bronchovascular marking. Interstitial infiltration being the most frequent lung ultrasound finding.<br />Conclusion: CT scan is the most frequently used imaging modality for COVID-19 in children and can detect pneumonia before the appearance of clinical symptoms. Undefined patchy shadows, grand-glass opacities and consolidation are commonly observed imaging findings in COVID-19 pneumonia.<br /> (© The Author(s) [2020]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1465-3664
- Volume :
- 67
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of tropical pediatrics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32692815
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmaa045