Evaluation of Diaphragmatic Ultrasonography in Infants with Acute Bronchiolitis

Background: Bronchiolitis is an acute viral respiratory illness that affects children younger than 24 months of age, with severe disease more common among infants from 1–3 months. The aim of the research was to investigate the correlation between diaphragmatic ultrasound parameters, with clinical scoring of acute bronchiolitis to evaluate their role in assessment of disease severity and to evaluate diaphragmatic ultrasound findings in patients with acute bronchiolitis.

Methods: This research was carried out on sixty infants aged from (one month to 2 years) at 1st attack of wheezy chest. According to clinical scoring cases were divided in to three groups: group (1): mild bronchiolitis with clinical scoring from (1-3) including 30 patients, group (2): Moderate bronchiolitis with clinical scoring (4-7) including 20 patient, and group (3): severe bronchiolitis with clinical scoring from (8-14) including 10 patients. All infants were subjected to chest X-ray, laboratory methods (Complete blood count and C-reactive protein), and clinical Scoring.

Results: There was a significant positive correlation between diaphragmatic excursion and length of hospital admission (r 0.395, p<0.00), a positive significant correlation between inspiratory slope and length of hospital admission. (r 0.439, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Lung ultrasonography may play a role in the evaluation and workup of babies with bronchiolitis in the emergency room, helping doctors identify infants who may require more intensive treatment. Ultrasound of the diaphragm appears to be an objective and valuable technique for assisting the clinician in evaluating and treating bronchiolitis.