The role of Lung Ultrasound in the diagnosis of SARS-COV-2 disease in pregnant women

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the role of lung ultrasound (LUS) in recognizing lung abnormalities in pregnant women affected by COVID-19 pneumonia.

Materials and methods: An observational study analyzing LUS patterns in 60 consecutively enrolled pregnant women affected by COVID-19 infection was performed. LUS was performed by using a standardized protocol by Soldati et al. The scoring system of LUS findings ranged from 0 to 3 in increasing alteration severity. The highest score obtained from each landmark was reported and the sum of the 12 zones examined was calculated.

Results: Patients were divided into two groups: 26 (43.3%) patients with respiratory symptoms and 32 (53.3%) patients without respiratory symptoms; 2 patients were asymptomatic (3.3%). Among the patients with respiratory symptoms 3 (12.5%) had dyspnea that required a mild Oxygen therapy. A significant correlation was found between respiratory symptoms and LUS score (p < 0.001) and between gestational weeks and respiratory symptoms (p = 0.023). Regression analysis showed that age and respiratory symptoms were risk factors for highest LUS score (p < 0.005).

Discussion: LUS can affect the clinical decision course and can help in stratifying patients according to its findings. The lack of ionizing radiation and its repeatability makes it a reliable diagnostic tool in the management of pregnant women.

Keywords: B-lines; COVID-19; Lung ultrasound; Pregnancy; Respiratory symptoms.