Pediatric Radiology is a subspecialty of radiology that uses the same modalities used in adult radiology to diagnose and treat diseases of children.

Since children are not just small adults, some of the equipment and techniques used in adult radiology departments must be adapted for their special needs.  An example of this is the increased need for sedation in children to keep them from moving during lengthy or uncomfortable procedures.  In addition, children are more sensitive to the harmful effects of radiation, so every effort is made to keep radiation exposure as low as possible during diagnosis and treatment.

Although children suffer from many of the same general types of diseases as adults (trauma, cancer, infections, arthritis, etc.) some are different.  Types of trauma (such as child abuse) and many of the cancers and infections seen in the pediatric population are different from those usually seen in adults.  The problems resulting from premature birth, congenital abnormalities, and disorders of growth and metabolism are also unique to children.

Pediatric Radiologists are American Board of Radiology certified Diagnostic Radiologists (requires 5 years of residency training after medical school) who spend an additional year (or 2) of fellowship training in Pediatric Radiology.  After one year of practice they must pass a Certificate of Added Qualification Exam (CAQ) given by the American Board of Radiology before they can be called Pediatric Radiologists.  The CAQ must be renewed by passing another exam every 10 years.

There are 13 Pediatric Radiologists on the UAMS faculty.  They practice primarily at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where they provide clinical service to ACH patients, teach UAMS medical students and Diagnostic Radiology residents and fellows, and participate in research in Pediatric Radiology.