Point-of-care ultrasound in paediatric clinical practice: transforming tomorrow today

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable tool for clinicians. It is best considered as an extension of the clinical assessment, where it can provide greater information than is available via traditional physical examination alone. POCUS fulfils several roles within clinical paediatrics; most commonly it serves as a diagnostic aid, helping to further a clinician's working hypothesis by excluding less likely diagnoses or helping to improve certainty in confirming others. Its use can obviate the need for other investigations such as blood tests and in doing so it can streamline the patient journey. In certain scenarios POCUS can fulfil the role that a conventional imaging investigation has done previously. It has emerged as a tool to guide resuscitation and stabilization of the seriously unwell patient and, as is perhaps most familiar, it can be used to help guide procedures. The aim of this article is to summarize the current applications of POCUS in acute paediatric care as well as to highlight more novel, emerging applications.