title: Radiological and pulmonary function outcomes of children with SARS.
abstract: We examined the radiological and pulmonary function outcomes of children affected with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) at 6 months from diagnosis. Twenty-one female and 26 male Chinese patients (median age, 13.6 years; interquartile range, 9.9-16.0) were studied. In each subject, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax and pulmonary function were assessed. All children were asymptomatic and had a normal clinical examination. Mild pulmonary abnormalities were detected on HRCT in 16 (34.0%) subjects, including residual ground-glass opacification (n = 5), air trapping (n = 8), and a combination of ground-glass changes and air trapping (n = 3). The need for oxygen supplementation (P = 0.02) and lymphopenia during the course of illness (P = 0.012) were significant risk factors in predicting abnormal HRCT. There were no significant lung function differences between those with and without HRCT abnormalities. Despite complete clinical resolution, a considerable proportion of children affected with SARS had abnormal HRCT findings at 6 months. These abnormalities were more prevalent in those with severe disease. It is important that careful follow-up be carried out to assess the clinical significance and persistence of such abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin Hong Kong.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hon
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yau
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Fok
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome