• Oktay Perk, Tanıl Kendirli, Emel Uyar, Şen AkovaBirselB0000-0003-2843-0611Department of Pediatric Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye., Hatice Albayrak, Hasan Ağin, OngunEbru AtikeEA0000-0002-1248-8635Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkiye., Eşe Eda Turanli, Sare Güntülü Şik, Şahin Sincar, Gürkan Bozan, Demet Demirkol, Nazan Ülgen Tekerek, Mey Talip, Arzu Oto, Feyza Inceköy Girgin, Ferhat Sari, Nurettin Onur Kutlu, Altan Güneş, Ömer Suat Fitöz, and PI-COVID-19 Study Group.
• Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye.
• Turk J Med Sci. 2024 Jan 1; 54 (3): 517528517-528.

Background/AimThis study was planned because the radiological distinction of COVID-19 and respiratory viral panel (RVP)-positive cases is necessary to prioritize intensive care needs and ensure non-COVID-19 cases are not overlooked. With that purpose, the objective of this study was to compare radiologic findings between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory airway viruses in critically ill children with suspected COVID-19 disease.Materials And MethodsThis study was conducted as a multicenter, retrospective, observational, and cohort study in 24 pediatric intensive care units between March 1 and May 31, 2020. SARS-CoV-2- or RVP polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive patients' chest X-ray and thoracic computed tomography (CT) findings were evaluated blindly by pediatric radiologists.ResultsWe enrolled 225 patients in the study, 81 of whom tested positive for Coronovirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The median age of all patients was 24 (7-96) months, while it was 96 (17-156) months for COVID-19-positive patients and 17 (6-48) months for positive for other RVP factor (p < 0.001). Chest X-rays were more frequently evaluated as normal in patients with SARS-CoV-2 positive results (p = 0.020). Unilateral segmental or lobar consolidation was observed more frequently on chest X-rays in rhinovirus cases than in other groups (p = 0.038). CT imaging findings of bilateral peribronchial thickening and/or peribronchial opacity were more frequently observed in RVP-positive patients (p = 0.046).ConclusionChest X-ray and CT findings in COVID-19 patients are not specific and can be seen in other respiratory virus infections.© TÜBİTAK.

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