Applications of Lung Ultrasound in Neonatology and Pediatrics

Dear Colleagues,

In the last ten years, lung ultrasound has become a fundamental tool in pediatric critical care units and neonatology due to the advantages it provides compared to classic reference techniques such as chest X-ray or computed tomography. Lung ultrasound is a bedside, non-invasive, real-time, radiation-free imaging technique that allows for the rapid assessment of lung pathology, including the detection of pleural effusions, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, and consolidation. This technique has been shown to be highly accurate and reliable for the diagnosis and follow-up of different respiratory diseases in neonates and critically ill children, such as those with bronchiolitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pleural effusions, among others. Another advantage is that it allows for the detection of dynamic changes in lung conditions. For instance, it can identify changes in lung aeration and fluid accumulation before they can be seen on a chest X-ray, which is a static image. In addition, it has been shown to be a valuable tool in the guidance of different procedures such as thoracentesis, chest tube insertion, or percutaneous lung biopsies, reducing the risk of complications and increasing the safety and efficacy of these interventions. However, not everything is known about lung ultrasound. It is necessary to continue advancing in its applications in children.

Overall, lung ultrasound has revolutionized the assessment and management of lung conditions in pediatric critical care units and neonatology, and its use is expected to continue increasing in the years to come. We are in the era of big data and machine learning, in which the integration of data for diagnosis/monitoring is more valuable than the different analytical/image markers separately. The objective of this Special Issue is the novel application of bedside lung ultrasound in pediatric and neonatal critical patients, especially striving for the integration of ultrasound with other analytical markers or even monitoring, by means of algorithms or scores to progress the knowledge of its use in critically ill patients.

Dr. Sara Bobillo-Perez
Dr. Iolanda Jordán
Guest Editors

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• lung ultrasound
• critical care
• pediatric
• lung image
• monitoring