Diagnostic Accuracy of Pocket-size Lung Ultrasound in Pneumonia Etiology and Complications in Hospitalized Children

The investigators will perform a prospective diagnostic cohort study in a tertiary paediatric referral centre to study the diagnostic accuracy of a pocket-size Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) device vs. chest radiograph (CXR) for the etiological diagnosis of CAP, in paediatric age. During 1 year, all children aged \>12 months and \<18 years admitted to the Paediatric Department with the diagnosis of CAP on admission will be included. At least 76 participants will be required. Two investigators will perform, independently, a POCUS at admission, daily during hospitalization, 15 days and 1 month after discharge. All children will also undergo a CXR upon admission and whenever necessary. A third investigator will classify the CXR independently. It will be used the General Electrics Vscan AirTM®, with Bluetooth connection to smartphone/tablet. It will be collected the systematized description of POCUS and CXR, sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic variables. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS® version 28. This study won a competitive grant from MSD Portugal. The amount will be applied exclusively in the systematization and standardization of the POCUS technique with the guidance of an external consultant, in the statistical analysis, in the dissemination of results through participation in a national and international congress and in the creation of a task-force for the national implementation of this technique in paediatric services. The design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of this stury will be independent from MSD Portugal and from the entire responsibility of the authors.