Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Young Children Presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) With Wheezing

Study Summary

Young children presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with wheezing often have prolonged stays in the ED or even get admitted to the hospital. This is a prospective observational study in which the investigators will use bedside 2D ultrasound to evaluate the lung ultrasound findings in children less than 24 months presenting to the ED with wheezing. The investigators hypothesize that children less than 24 months presenting to the Emergency Department with wheezing will have a range of lung ultrasound findings that will include normal findings, B lines, subpleural consolidations, and pleural effusions. The investigators also hypothesize that the findings will be reproducible between two equally trained providers. The investigators also hypothesize that lung ultrasound findings patients 0-24 months presenting to the ED with wheezing will correlate with specific clinical outcomes. An exploratory analysis will be performed to look for correlations between lung US findings and acute severity, final diagnosis, presenting symptoms, prematurity, risk factors for atopy, response to treatment and radiologic or viral studies if performed.