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Pediatric laboratory medicine: current challenges and future opportunities
Cheryl M Coffin1, Marilyn S Hamilton, Theodore J Pysher
1Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA.
Insights
Pediatric laboratory medicine presents unique challenges in child development and disease. Addressing these through advanced testing improves patient care, research, and education.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Laboratory Medicine
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Laboratory Science
Background:
- Pediatric laboratory medicine faces unique challenges due to developmental stages, nutrition, growth, and diseases across infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
- These complexities require specialized knowledge for accurate diagnostic testing in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss key aspects of pediatric laboratory medicine.
- To highlight challenges and opportunities for clinical pathologists, laboratory scientists, and clinicians.
Main Methods:
- The article provides a discussion of critical elements in pediatric laboratory testing.
- Key areas covered include point-of-care testing, preanalytic and analytic variables, and age-specific reference intervals.
- Esoteric tests and their clinical impact are also reviewed.
Main Results:
- Pediatric laboratory testing involves unique considerations for accurate results.
- Age-specific reference intervals are crucial for interpreting test outcomes in children.
- Point-of-care testing and management of preanalytic variables are important factors.
Conclusions:
- Despite challenges, pediatric laboratory testing offers significant opportunities for enhancing patient care.
- There is potential for advancements in clinical and laboratory-based research.
- Educational initiatives in pediatric laboratory medicine are vital for future progress.
Abstract:
The practice of pediatric laboratory medicine involves unique challenges related to development, nutrition, growth, and diseases during different periods of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. This article discusses key aspects of pediatric laboratory medicine faced by clinical pathologists, clinical laboratory scientists, and clinicians, including point-of-care testing, preanalytic variables, analytic factors, age-specific reference intervals, esoteric laboratory tests, clinical impact, andfuture opportunities. Although challenging, pediatric laboratory testing offers many opportunities for improved patient care, clinical- and laboratory-based research, and education.