Statistical Analysis of Normal CT Scans in Children Aged 10 and Below at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd: A Two-Year Study

Yasin  shafiei; Reza nafisi  moghadam; Ali  rajabi; Kazem  razavi; Rashid  namordi; Nasim  namiranian; Fatemeh  khaleghi

doi:10.18502/wjpn.v7i2.20448

Yasin shafiei School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Reza nafisi moghadam Department of Radiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Ali rajabi Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Science, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
Kazem razavi Department of Radiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Rashid namordi Department of Radiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Nasim namiranian Department of social medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Fatemeh khaleghi Department of Radiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/wjpn.v7i2.20448

Keywords: Computed Tomography (CT) scan, children, Radiation, diagnostic imaging

Abstract

Background: With the increasing use of CT scans in children and the need to minimize radiation exposure during early life, this study investigated the prevalence of normal CT findings among children aged ≤10 years at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, over two years (2020–2022). The objective was to determine the distribution of normal and abnormal CT results and emphasize the importance of prudent and evidence-based CT utilization in pediatric practice.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed by reviewing the medical records of children aged ≤10 years who underwent CT imaging at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital between 2020 and 2022. Demographic variables and organ-specific CT data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 22, with a significance threshold of P<0.05. Associations between CT results, gender, age group, and scan type were examined to identify possible correlations.

Results: Among all pediatric CT scans, 30.3% were normal, while 69.7% demonstrated abnormalities. The lungs (55.6%) were the most frequently examined organ, followed by the brain and abdomen. No statistically significant associations were found between CT results and gender or scan type. These findings highlight potential overuse of CT imaging in children.

Conclusion: Approximately one-third of pediatric CT scans yielded normal results, underscoring the importance of rational CT use in children. Increasing awareness among healthcare professionals and parents is essential to ensure justified imaging and to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure in pediatric populations.