Modern Technologies in Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Conditions studied

Bronchiolitis Acute, Lower Respiratory Tract and Lung Infections, Pediatric Lung Ultrasound, Tidal Volume, Pediatric Lung Diagnosis, Pediatric Asthma

About this study

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally, particularly in low-income countries. In Norway, LRTIs is a leading cause of hospitalization among infants, representing a great socioeconomic burden. Bronchiolitis, a viral infection, is the main representation of LRTIs in infants. It affects the small airways, causing breathing- and feeding difficulties. Today, treatment relies on subjective evaluations, lacking objective measures for assessment. This increases the risk of both under- and over treating patients. In the long term, bronchiolitis increases risk of asthma, but it is unknown who the high-risk patients for chronic lung disease are. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) has emerged as a promising tool for assessing bronchiolitis severity and progression of the disease. The investigators will explore its use to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions, and develop AI-driven scoring tools for novel technology. Additionally, tidal breathing flow volume loops (TBFVL) offer a non-invasive method for evaluating airway obstruction in infants, with the potential to assess severity of bronchiolitis, treatment efficacy and post-infection lung function. In this project the investigators will combine the use of these modern technologies to improve treatment and follow-up of infants with LRTIs. The main aim for this observational study is to assess the utility of lung ultrasonography (LUS) and tidal flow volume loops (TBFVL) in infant lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) for individual risk stratification in acute and chronic settings. This aims to refine the management of bronchiolitis, identifying high-risk patients for chronic lung disease to tailor treatment and follow-up protocols. The project has three secondary objectives. 1. To assess correlation between LUS and TBFVL findings with clinical score at admission, length of stay, need of respiratory support and ICU admissions. 2. To assess duration of symptoms following acute bronchiolitis and evaluate the use of LUS and TBFVL in objectively examine post-infectious sequela. 3. To evaluate the long-term impact of bronchiolitis on lung function through clinical follow-up after a 12 month period. Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) stand as the leading cause of hospitalization, while asthma is the leading cause of chronic lung disease among children in Nordic countries. The project seeks to improve risk stratification and…

Interventions

• Diagnostic Test: lung ultrasound — performance of lung utltrasound in participants, performed bedside (v scan).
• Diagnostic Test: Tidal-flow volume loops — tidal-flow volume loops performed in patients hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections.

Primary outcomes

• Number of readmissions at 1 year follow-up after baseline. (From enrollment to the end of follow-up at 12 months.)
• Length of stay at hospital due to LRTI. (from enrollment to discharge from hospital, average patient is hospitalized 3 days.)
• Duration of symptoms after hospitalization due to LRTI. (from enrollment to weeks/months after discharge, based on reporting of symptoms. Up to 60 days.)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Aalesund Hospital, Ålesund, Møre og Romsdal 6017 Norway
• St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag 7030 Norway