Stratifying Disease Severity in Pediatric COVID-19: A Correlative Study of Serum Biomarkers and Lung Ultrasound—A Retrospective Observational Dual-Center Study
Emil Robert Stoicescu,
Roxana Iacob,
Adrian Cosmin Ilie,
Emil Radu Iacob,
Septimiu Radu Susa,
Laura Andreea Ghenciu,
Amalia Constantinescu,
Daiana Marina Cocolea,
Andreea Ciornei-Hoffman,
Cristian Oancea,
Diana Luminita Manolescu
Affiliations
Emil Robert Stoicescu
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Roxana Iacob
Faculty of Mechanics, Field of Applied Engineering Sciences, Specialization Statistical Methods and Techniques in Health and Clinical Research, ‘Politehnica’ University Timisoara, Mihai Viteazul Boulevard No. 1, 300222 Timisoara, Romania
Adrian Cosmin Ilie
Department III Functional Sciences, Division of Public Health and Management, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Emil Radu Iacob
Department of Pediatric Surgery, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Septimiu Radu Susa
IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Laura Andreea Ghenciu
Department of Functional Sciences, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Amalia Constantinescu
IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Daiana Marina Cocolea
IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Andreea Ciornei-Hoffman
Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Morphological Sciences, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cristian Oancea
Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases (CRIPMRD), ‘Victor Babeș’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
Diana Luminita Manolescu
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has manifested distinct impacts on infants and children. This study delves into the intricate connection between lung ultrasound (LUS) findings and serum biomarkers in neonates and infants with COVID-19. Exploring factors contributing to the mild symptoms in this demographic, including immune responses and pre-existing immunity, the study spans 3 years and 9 months, involving 42 patients. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms predominate, and LUS emerges as a vital, non-irradiating tool for evaluating pulmonary abnormalities. Serum biomarkers like CRP, procalcitonin, and cytokines provide key insights into the pathophysiology. Correlations reveal nuanced links between LUS score and clinical parameters, unveiling associations with hospitalization duration (rho = 0.49), oxygen saturation (rho = −0.88), and inflammatory markers, like ferritin (rho = 0.62), LDH (rho = 0.73), and D-dimer (rho = 0.73) with significance level (p < 0.05). The absence of large consolidations in LUS suggests unique pulmonary characteristics. The novelty of these findings lies in the comprehensive integration of LUS with serum biomarkers to assess and monitor the severity of lung involvement in neonates and infants affected by SARS-CoV-2. This approach offers valuable insights into disease severity, biomarker levels, the duration of hospitalization, and oxygen saturation, providing a multifaceted understanding of COVID-19’s impact on this vulnerable population.
