Patel Nishit H, Hassoun Ameer, Chao Jennifer H
Children's Medical Center Plano, Plano, TX, USA.
New York Presbyterian-Queens Hospital, Flushing, NY, USA.
Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2021 Oct;60(11-12):465-473. doi: 10.1177/00099228211044296. Epub 2021 Sep 4.
A chest radiograph (CXR) is not routinely indicated in children presenting with their first episode of wheezing; however, it continues to be overused. A survey was distributed electronically to determine what trainees are taught and their current practice of obtaining a CXR in children presenting with their first episode of wheezing and the factors that influence this practice. Of the 1513 trainees who completed surveys, 35.3% (535/1513) reported that they were taught that pediatric patients presenting with their first episode of wheezing should be evaluated with a CXR. In all, 22.01% (333/1513) indicated that they would always obtain a CXR in these patients, and 13.75% (208/1513) would always obtain a CXR under a certain age (4 weeks to 12 years, median of 2 years). Our study identifies a target audience that would benefit from education to decrease the overuse of CXRs in children.
