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Diagnostic imaging studies performed in children over a nine-year period

Trevor Tompane1, Ruth Bush, Tanya Dansky

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0984, USA.

Pediatrics
|December 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Diagnostic imaging procedures (DIPs) in children are increasing, with higher radiation DIPs becoming more common, particularly in emergency settings. This trend highlights the need for interventions to reduce radiation exposure in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric radiology
  • Medical imaging safety
  • Public health

Background:

  • Diagnostic imaging procedures (DIPs) in children are linked to increased cancer risk due to radiation exposure.
  • Understanding current DIP ordering practices is crucial for developing interventions to minimize pediatric radiation exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and characteristics of DIPs ordered for a general pediatric population within an independent physicians association.
  • To assess trends in DIP utilization and radiation exposure in children over a nine-year period.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DIP insurance claims from 2001 to 2009.
  • Utilized Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes from insurance data.
  • Examined patient demographics associated with DIPs.

Main Results:

  • Over 214,000 DIPs were performed on over 63,000 children between 2001 and 2009.
  • Significant increases observed in computed tomography, MRI, ultrasound, and radiography (P < .001).
  • Higher radiation DIPs were prevalent in inpatient/emergency settings for gastrointestinal and congenital disorders, with abdominal pain, headache, and head injury being common indications.

Conclusions:

  • DIPs are frequently utilized in pediatric care, with a growing proportion involving higher radiation exposure.
  • Inpatient and emergency department settings, along with gastrointestinal/neurologic symptoms and congenital anomalies, are associated with increased use of higher radiation DIPs.
  • Findings can inform clinical practice interventions aimed at reducing radiation exposure from DIPs in children.
Abstract

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