AI shows promise in pediatrics, with limitations

AI has shown promise for remote patient monitoring and alerting providers in ICUs, but still has limitations as a clinical tool in pediatrics.

In 2024, researchers reported that ChatGPT can help answer parent questions and provide effective translation of discharge instructions. However, in another study, a large language model trained to answer patient portal questions from patients and caregivers broke confidentiality twice.

We put together a list of stories about applying AI in pediatric settings from 2024.

AI comparable to professional translation for patient discharges in some languages

When translating discharge instructions for pediatric conditions, machine translation platforms performed comparably to professional translations for Spanish and Portuguese but not Haitian Creole, a study found. Read more.

AI model identifies pediatric eye diseases using cell phone photos

An AI model was able to identify several common eye diseases in children using cell phone photos that could be taken at home, researchers reported. Read more.

ChatGPT provides better responses to complex pediatric respiratory scenarios vs. trainees

When presented with complex pediatric respiratory scenarios, responses from ChatGPT achieved higher performance scores than trainee doctor responses, according to a presentation. Read more.

ChatGPT may help physicians answer questions from parents

ChatGPT and other large language models could help physicians field questions from patients and their caregivers, although researchers remain concerned about accuracy and HIPAA compliance, according to findings. Read more.

AI identified patient messages sent by proxies, but also broke confidentiality

AI identified messages sent through a patient portal by adolescents’ caregivers — and not the patients themselves — three-quarters of the time, but also broke confidentiality in two cases, according to findings. Read more.

AI predicts glucose level changes in children with type 1 diabetes

Researchers developed a tool that can collect daily data from insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors and use AI to predict changes in glucose levels. Read more.

AI video analysis highly accurate in detecting infantile epilepsy spasms

An AI model accurately detected epileptic spasms in infants through smartphone videos, representing a “highly accessible approach” to accelerating diagnosis, according to researchers. Read more.

AI helps ICU clinicians ‘find the signal in the background’

AI saves time for pediatric cardiac ICU clinicians by identifying patients who need more attention, according to a presenter. Read more.