Introduction to Pediatric Chest Radiography
Learning Objectives
Describe key anatomic and developmental differences between pediatric and adult chest radiographs that affect interpretation.
Apply a systematic approach to pediatric chest X‑ray interpretation, including evaluation of lung parenchyma, airway, mediastinum, heart, and bones
Identify radiographic patterns of common pediatric pulmonary and airway conditions such as foreign body aspiration, pneumothorax, pneumonia, and pleural effusion
Differentiate normal age‑related findings (e.g., thymic shadow, cardiothymic silhouette) from pathologic mediastinal and pulmonary abnormalities
Recognize chest radiographic findings suggestive of non‑accidental trauma and serious underlying disease in infants and young children
Author(s)
George Taylor, MD
Professor of Radiology Emeritus | Harvard Medical School
Lisa DelSignore, MD
Associate Professor, Fellowship Program Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine | Yale University
Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH
Co-Director, OPENPediatrics; Co-Director, Center for Educational Excellence and Innovation; Program Director, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship; Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine | Boston Children’s Hospital
Associate Professor of Anaesthesia | Harvard Medical School
Brendan Cronin, MD
Fellow | University of California, Los Angeles Health
Ioana Baiu, MD
Physician | Ohio State University
Assistant Professor | Ohio State University
Citation
Taylor G, Cronin B, Baiu I, Wolbrink TA, DelSignore L. Introduction to Pediatric Chest Radiography. 1/2015. Online Video. OPENPediatrics. https://learn.openpediatrics.org/learn/course/internal/view/elearning/3135/introduction-to-pediatric-chest-radiography.