Overuse of Chest X-Rays in Children with Bronchiolitis

Chest x-rays are not recommended for stable children aged <2 years with acute upper airway symptoms progressing to lower airway inflammation with diffuse rales or wheezes (i.e., bronchiolitis). Investigators reviewed National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey records from 2007 to 2015 to determine how often chest x-rays were obtained in emergency department (ED) visits by children aged <2 years with a final diagnosis of bronchiolitis.

Of 612 such visits, 46% had chest x-rays performed as part of the ED evaluation. Ninety percent of the 612 patients were discharged, and in this group, the rate of chest x-ray use was also 46%. The rate was 25% at pediatric hospitals, versus 53% at general hospitals.