Does Lung Ultrasound Have a Role in the Clinical Management of Pregnant Women with SARS COV2 Infection?

Maria Grazia Porpora, Lucia Merlino, Luisa Masciullo, Rossella D’Alisa, Gabriella Brandolino, Cecilia Galli, Casimiro De Luca, Francesco Pecorini, Giovanni Battista Fonsi, Andrea Mingoli, Cristiana Franchi, Alessandra Oliva, Lucia Manganaro, Claudio Maria Mastroianni and Maria Grazia Piccioni
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Maria Grazia Porpora: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Lucia Merlino: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Luisa Masciullo: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Rossella D’Alisa: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Gabriella Brandolino: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Cecilia Galli: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Casimiro De Luca: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Francesco Pecorini: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giovanni Battista Fonsi: Department of Surgery, “Pietro Valdoni”, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Andrea Mingoli: Department of Surgery, “Pietro Valdoni”, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Cristiana Franchi: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Oliva: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Lucia Manganaro: Department of Radiological, Oncological, and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Claudio Maria Mastroianni: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Grazia Piccioni: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major health threat. Pregnancy can lead to an increased susceptibility to viral infections. Although chest computed tomography (CT) represents the gold standard for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, lung ultrasound (LUS) could be a valid alternative in pregnancy. The objectives of this prospective study were to assess the role of LUS in the diagnosis of lung involvement and in helping the physicians in the management of affected patients. Thirty pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted at the obstetrical ward of our Hospital. Mean age was 31.2 years, mean gestational age 33.8 weeks. Several LUS were performed during hospitalization. The management of the patients was decided according to the LUS score and the clinical conditions. Mean gestational age at delivery was at 37.7 weeks, preterm birth was induced in 20% of cases for a worsening of the clinical conditions. No neonatal complications occurred. In 9 cases with a high LUS score, a chest CT was performed after delivery. CT confirmed the results of LUS, showing a significant positive correlation between the two techniques. LUS seems a safe alternative to CT in pregnancy and may help in the management of these patients.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 infection; pregnancy; lung ultrasound (LUS) examination; chest computed tomography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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