Lung Ultrasound in Early Diagnosis and Differentiation between Bacterial and Viral Pneumonia in Egyptian Infants

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an extremely valuable diagnostic tool in detecting pneumonia in children of all ages. However, limited data have been published showing its effectiveness in early differentiation between bacterial and viral pneumonia in infants.

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of LUS in early diagnosis and differentiation between bacterial and viral pneumonia in Egyptian infants.

Methods: LUS was performed in 52 infants presented with clinical signs suggesting of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) within the first 6:12 hours of admission in Pediatric department of Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Results: Among the 52 infants included in the study, 65.3% were diagnosed to have bacterial pneumonia and 34.6% diagnosed to have viral pneumonia. In bacterial pneumonia, Subpleural consolidation >1 cm and air bronchogram were the most prominent features with statically significant relationship. In viral pneumonia multiple B lines and subpleural consolidations

Conclusion: We found LUS to be a reliable and non-invasive tool for the early diagnosis and differentiation between bacterial and viral pneumonia in infants.