Imaging of COVID-19 pneumonia in children

OBJECTIVE: Literature related to the imaging of COVID-19 pneumonia, its findings and contribution to diagnosis and its differences from adults are limited in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate chest X-ray and chest CT findings in children with COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Chest X-ray findings of 59 pediatric patients and chest CT findings of 22 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: COVID-19 pneumonia was most commonly observed unilaterally and in lower zones of lungs in chest X-ray examinations. Bilateral and multifocal involvement (55%) was the most observed involvement in the CT examinations, as well as, single lesion and single lobe (27%) involvement were also detected. Pure ground-glass appearance was observed in 41%, ground-glass appearance and consolidation together was in 36%. While peripheral and central co-distribution of the lesions (55%) were frequently observed, the involvement of the lower lobes (69%) was significant. In four cases,the coexistence of multiple rounded multifocal ground-glass appearance and rounded consolidation were observed. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pneumonia imaging findings may differ in the pediatric population from adults. In diagnosis, chest X-ray should be preferred, CT should be requested if there is a pathologic finding on radiography that merits further evaluation and if clinically indicated. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Radiological findings of COVID-19 observed in children may differ from adults. Chest X-ray should often be sufficient in children avoiding additional irradiation, chest CT needs only be done in cases of clinical necessity.