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Stoicescu ER, Iacob R, Ilie AC, Iacob ER, Susa SR, Ghenciu LA, Constantinescu A, Cocolea DM, Ciornei-Hoffman A, Oancea C, Manolescu DL. Stratifying Disease Severity in Pediatric COVID-19: A Correlative Study of Serum Biomarkers and Lung Ultrasound-A Retrospective Observational Dual-Center Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:440. [PMID: 38396479 PMCID: PMC10888450 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14040440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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; (E.R.S.); (D.L.M.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- 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
| | - 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
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (S.R.S.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - 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; (S.R.S.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - 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; (S.R.S.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - Daiana Marina Cocolea
- IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (S.R.S.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - Andreea Ciornei-Hoffman
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Morphological Sciences, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 400006 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;
- Department of Pulmonology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, 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; (E.R.S.); (D.L.M.)
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases (CRIPMRD), ‘Victor Babeș’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
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