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Effect of Pediatric Lung Ultrasound on Antibiotic Prescriptions in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents With Lower Respiratory Tract Infections. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

NCT06876766 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 176

Last updated 2025-04-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Title: Effect of Pediatric Lung Ultrasound on Antibiotic Prescriptions in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (PLUS-AP Trial)

Purpose of the Study:

This study is being done to find out if a type of imaging called lung ultrasound (LUS) can help doctors decide when to stop antibiotics in children and teens who are in the hospital with lung infections, like pneumonia. Antibiotics are often given to these patients, but sometimes they are used for longer than necessary, which can be harmful. The investigators want to see if using LUS helps doctors make decisions that reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, which can help prevent antibiotic resistance and other complications.

What is Lung Ultrasound (LUS)? Lung ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive, and painless test that uses sound waves to look at the lungs. It doesn't involve radiation like chest X-rays. It is already being used to help doctors understand lung conditions, and this study will test if it can also help in deciding when to stop antibiotics.

How the Study Works:

Participants: Children and adolescents (ages 3 months-18 years) who are admitted to the hospital with a lung infection.

Groups:

LUS Group: These patients will have a lung ultrasound within 24 hours of enrollment. The results will help guide decisions about when to stop antibiotics.

Standard Care Group: These patients will receive regular hospital care, which may include chest X-rays and other tests to guide their treatment.

What Will Be Measured?

Primary Goal: The study will measure how long children and teens stay on antibiotics. The investigators are testing whether LUS can help shorten this time without affecting their recovery.

Secondary Goals: Investigators will also look at how long patients stay in the hospital, whether they need further treatment or care after leaving.

Why is This Important? If this study shows that LUS can safely reduce the use of antibiotics, it could change how doctors treat lung infections in children. Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use can help fight antibiotic resistance and protect children from side effects of unnecessary treatments.

Conditions

  • Lower Resp Tract Infection

Interventions

DEVICE

Lung Ultrasound

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize the lungs. It will be used in the experimental arm to help guide decisions regarding antibiotic therapy in hospitalized children and adolescents with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). The LUS will be performed within 24 hours of enrollment.

DEVICE

Sham

In the sham group, participants will undergo a mock or placebo version of the lung ultrasound. This involves performing the procedure in a way that mimics the real ultrasound process but does not provide any diagnostic results or influence clinical decision-making regarding antibiotic therapy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • American University of Beirut Medical Center

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
3 Months
Max Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-30
Primary Completion
2026-11-30
Completion
2026-11-30

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06876766 on ClinicalTrials.gov