Point-of-care ultrasonography in pediatric intensive care units

Bedside ultrasonography, or point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS), is increasingly becoming widely adopted in pediatric intensive care units (ICU) for procedural interventions and diagnostics. Although vascular access remains one of the primary applications of POCUS in the pediatric ICU, its use for assessing fluid status and responsiveness is growing. POCUS helps identify reversible causes of cardiac arrest, such as pericardial effusion and pneumothorax, although its impact on outcomes is still under investigation. Here, we will review the applications of POCUS in the pediatric ICU, including the general pediatric and cardiac ICUs. We will discuss the up-to-date evidence guiding its use and adoption for critically ill children.