Value of transthoracic ultrasonography in diagnosing community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children

Aims: Respiratory infections (RTI) are the commonest cause of acute presentation in paediatric primary care demanding the greatest bulk of work-load and antimicrobial prescription. Overprescription of antibiotics results from lack of reliable, readily available diagnostic tools. Aim: to assess diagnostic value of ultrasonography (US) in children with RTI and follow-up of untreated patients with residual symptoms. Method: In a prospective two phase study children (0–14 years) presenting with RTI over 40 months in a general paediatric practice were included. Phase one: patients with clinical criteria for CAP under…