A Scoping Review Protocol of Lung Ultrasound in Pediatric COVID‐19: Clinical Utility and Lessons for Future Pandemics

Background and Aims: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an ultrasound-based procedure used to evaluate thoracic structures, including the pleura and lung parenchyma. It has become an increasingly important tool for diagnosing and monitoring respiratory diseases, including in pediatric populations. The recent COVID-19 pandemic had created unprecedented challenges in respiratory diagnosis and care, accelerating the use of LUS as a rapid, practical, and safe examination method, particularly suitable for children. This scoping review aims to map and synthesize evidence on the use of LUS in pediatric COVID-19, identify research gaps, and inform future studies. Methods: This review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodological guidance for scoping reviews and reported by following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Our strategy will search on major databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL, and gray literatures resources. Assessment of the studies will be performed by two independent reviewers against the inclusion criteria. Eligible studies will include pediatric populations (< 18 years) with suspected, confirmed, or recovered COVID-19, assessing LUS for respiratory evaluation. Studies of any design, language, and methodological quality published from December 2019 onward will be considered. Data will be extracted and synthesized in line with scoping review methodology. Results: Evidence will be synthesized using a primarily deductive approach with inductive flexibility to identify emerging themes, including clinical applications of LUS, protocols of imaging acquisition and interpretation, and study designs. Findings will be mapped and presented in tables and summarized narratively. Conclusion: This review will provide a comprehensive overview of LUS use in pediatric COVID-19, supporting its integration into clinical practice and informing preparedness for future respiratory outbreaks. Scoping Review Registration: This protocol was registered in Open Science Framework on July 30, 2025 (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/XP628).