Pediatric Chest Radiography

Radiology is the medical field of taking and interpreting diagnostic images of the body. Pediatric chest radiographs are a tool of this field, whereby an X-ray is taken of a child's chest cavity.

Use

• Pediatric chest radiographs have a number of diagnostic purposes. They allow a physician to examine the respiratory system for fluids. They also show bone fractures in high enough detail for a physician to determine the age of the fracture. The latter can be used for determining that a child is being abused.

Procedure

• According to the American College of Radiology, a pediatric chest radiograph must be ordered by a qualified medical professional with a specific diagnostic purpose. The symptoms being investigated determine what angles the chest radiographs will include.

Qualified Personnel

• The American College of Radiology has official guidelines for the personnel who perform the chest radiograph. These include a supervising physician who has had at least two years experience supervising and interpreting chest radiographs, and a radiologic technician who has documented training in pediatric chest radiographs.