New Study Pinpoints Top Pediatric Medical Overuse Problems

The study "2023 Update on Pediatric Medical Overuse," published in the October 2023 issue of Pediatrics (published online Sept. 25), provides summaries of 10 articles related to pediatric medical overuse from 2021 to 2022, According to AAP.

The purpose of this review is to bring attention to significant areas of pediatric care that may be wasteful or potentially harmful to children. In order to identify these articles, researchers meticulously examined thousands of sources and ultimately selected 201 pieces specifically focused on pediatric medical overuse. 

Several of these articles raise concerns about routine practices such as temperature measurement during well-child visits, which may result in unnecessary medical intervention and vaccine deferral. Additionally, other articles highlight the adverse effects associated with certain pediatric interventions that are frequently overused, including tonsillectomies, proton pump inhibitors, and cough and cold medications. These interventions can contribute to more severe illnesses or premature mortality. 

Researchers strongly recommend that the benefits and drawbacks of these interventions be thoroughly deliberated prior to pursuing treatment. Furthermore, they emphasize the significance of implementing value-based healthcare models as a means of enhancing pediatric care.

By Anita Johnson-Brown

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