Diagnostic Value of Chest Radiography in Pediatric Cardiovascular Diseases: A Retrospective Study in Tabriz, Northwest of Iran

Background and Objective: Chest X-ray is usually the first radiography performed for a newborn. This test is easily accessible and yet a basic screening method. Different results have been reported in various studies regarding the diagnostic value of chest X-ray in cardiovascular disease in children. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out retrospectively using the medical files of 100 patients under 15 years of age who were referred to Tabriz Children’s Hospital during 2013-2014. The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS-17. The mean difference test was used to compare the quantitative variables. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Findings: Fifty-two patients (52%) were male. Their mean age was 4.54  1.22 (0-108) months, and the patients’ mean weight was 4.38  0.34 (1.25-27) kg. Cardiovascular examination and radiology report were negative in 70% and 57% of the patients, respectively, while cardiologic assessments revealed cardiovascular problems in 70% of the cases. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, and the positive and negative predictive value of chest X-ray in this study were 61%, 80%, 53%, 86%, and 42%, respectively. In addition, gender, age, weight, the presence or absence of clinical signs, and the type of cardiovascular disease had no effect on the diagnostic accuracy of chest X-ray. Conclusion: According to the results, chest radiography cannot be referred to as a test to confirm or rule-out cardiovascular disease in children. Therefore, when a cardiovascular disease is suspected in physical examination, echocardiography can be recommended without a need for chest X-ray.