Abstract

While the message of overutilization has gained timely momentum in pediatrics, an important but largely missing component of the dialogue is overdiagnosis. The most well-known examples of overdiagnosis exist in adults (i.e. prostate cancer) and indeed adult medicine has recently focused entire journal issues (BMJ) and conferences on the topic. Yet, overdiagnosis is equally widespread in pediatrics, but largely unappreciated. The authors of this potential lecture published the first comprehensive review of ovediagnosis in pediatrics (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25287462). It plagues some of the most frequent inpatient pediatric conditions, including asthma, bacteremia, hypoxia, bacteriuria, reflux, and aspiration, to name a few. The primary aim of this lecture is to review the evidence suggesting overdiagnosis in pediatrics. In particular we would aim to review of the latest evidence since the publication of our comprehensive review that supports certain diagnosis in pediatrics as overdiagnosed. From hypoxemia to otitis media, randomized controlled trials and other study types will be reviewed that support that overdiagnosis in pediatrics is not only prevalent but likely understudied. A challenge to healthcare professionals who take care of children will be proposed to increase awareness and study of overdiagnosis in pediatrics.