Emerging Technologies in Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology: Current Progress and Future Prospects

Dear Colleagues,

Pediatric diagnostic radiology is an indispensable field for disease identification and treatment guidance in children. Distinguished from adult radiology, children’s unique anatomical, physiological, and developmental characteristics render pediatric imaging both challenging and essential, while also placing higher demands on safety, particularly in minimizing radiation exposure. With the continuous advancement of medical technology, emerging technologies have gradually become a driving force for the development of pediatric diagnostic radiology, aiming to address core challenges such as diagnostic accuracy improvement, radiation dose reduction, and workflow optimization. The evolution of this field is characterized by the integration of multi-disciplinary technologies, from the upgrading of imaging hardware to the application of artificial intelligence, constantly promoting the transformation of pediatric imaging towards safer, more efficient, and more precise directions.

The aim of this Special Issue is to systematically showcase the latest progress, core achievements, and practical applications of emerging technologies in pediatric diagnostic radiology, provide an academic exchange platform for researchers, clinicians, and technical developers in related fields, and promote the clinical transformation and application of innovative technologies. The scope covers multiple dimensions, including artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in pediatric radiology, advanced imaging hardware and technical innovations (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine/PET, etc.), three-dimensional printing and computational modeling, teleradiology and imaging informatics, in addition to safety and dose optimization strategies in pediatric imaging. It also includes discussions on challenges, limitations, and future prospects of emerging technologies in this field.

1. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: Pediatric-specific AI model development for lesion detection, classification, segmentation, and abnormality recognition; AI-driven workflow optimization (urgent case prioritization, routine task automation); AI-assisted low-dose imaging reconstruction to maintain image quality while reducing radiation exposure.
2. Advanced imaging hardware and techniques: Model-based and deep learning reconstruction for computed tomography (CT) to reduce dose and improve quality; photon-counting detector CT applications in pediatric frequent imaging; high-field strength and fast-sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for non-ionizing radiation soft-tissue imaging; diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional MRI (fMRI) for neurological development and disorder assessment; portable, high-frequency, contrast-enhanced ultrasound for neonate and critically ill child bedside imaging; expanded field-of-view PET/CT scanners for improved sensitivity and reduced scan time.
3. Three-dimensional printing and computational modeling: Application in pediatric congenital cardiac and craniofacial surgical planning; education and procedural simulation; patient/family counseling.
4. Teleradiology and imaging informatics: Teleradiology solutions for remote and underserved area pediatric specialist access; advanced data management, structured reporting, and AI-integrated picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) for efficiency and diagnostic precision improvement.
5. Safety and dose optimization: Automated dose monitoring and feedback systems; AI-based denoising and new reconstruction algorithms for low-exposure high-quality imaging.

We invite original research papers and review articles, among others, focusing on emerging technologies in pediatric diagnostic radiology. Relevant topics include but are not limited to the following:

(1) Development and validation of pediatric-specific AI and machine learning models for radiological image analysis;

(2) Clinical application studies of advanced imaging hardware (photon-counting CT, high-field MRI, etc.) in pediatric populations;

(3) Innovation and application of three-dimensional printing and computational modeling in pediatric radiology-related surgical planning and education;

(4) Teleradiology and imaging informatics system construction and clinical effect evaluation in pediatric healthcare;

(5) Research on radiation dose optimization strategies and safety evaluation in pediatric imaging;

(6) Exploration of challenges and solutions in the clinical integration of emerging technologies in pediatric radiology;

(7) Forecasting and prospect analysis of future technological development trends.

Dr. Eugenio Rossi
Dr. Rocco Minelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• pediatric diagnostic radiology
• emerging technologies
• advanced imaging techniques
• radiation dose optimization
• teleradiology
• imaging informatics
• pediatric imaging safety