Digital stethoscopes in paediatric medicine

Abstract

Aim: To explore, synthesise and discuss currently available digital stethoscopes (DS) and the evidence for their use in paediatric medicine.Methods: Systematic review and narrative synthesis of digital stethoscope use in paediatrics following searches of OVID Medline, Embase, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases.Results: Six digital stethoscope makes were identified to have been used in paediatric focused studies so far. A total of 25 studies of DS use in paediatrics were included. We discuss the use of digital stethoscope technology in current paediatric medicine, comment on the technical properties of the available devices, the effectiveness and limitations of this technology, and potential uses in the fields of paediatrics and neonatology, from telemedicine to computer-aided diagnostics. Conclusion: Further validation and testing of available DS devices is required. Comparisonstudies between different types of DS would be useful in identifying strengths and flaws of each DS as well as identifying clinical situations for which each may be most appropriately suited.

The Digital Stethoscope and Computerised Sound Analysis ‐ a Novel Method for Examining Neonatal Breath Sounds

“…Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common cause of bacterial infection in the paediatric population 1 . The timely identification and treatment of UTI is essential for the prevention of sepsis, recurrent UTIs and long term complications including renal scarring, hypertension, proteinuria and renal failure.…”

“…The timely identification and treatment of UTI is essential for the prevention of sepsis, recurrent UTIs and long term complications including renal scarring, hypertension, proteinuria and renal failure. 1,2 Management of UTI within the Sydney Children's Hospital Network (SCHN) is based on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline which guide assessment and management of paediatric UTI. 3,4 Aim: In the general paediatric department at Nepean Hospital, an audit of the current management of paediatric UTIs was performed.…”

Acoustic analysis of neonatal breath sounds using digital stethoscope technology

“…The digital stethoscope (DS) has emerged more recently in pediatric medicine, with 25 studies of the technology identified in a recent systematic review, 9 including its use for monitoring of newborn heart rate during resuscitation, 10 and comparison with standard auscultation for detection of abnormal pediatric breath sounds. 11 We aimed to determine if the DS could be used to study breath sounds of self-ventilating preterm and term neonates, and detect a difference in their acoustic characteristics.…”

The Digital Stethoscope and Computerised Sound Analysis – A Novel Method for Examining Neonatal Breath Sounds

“…Background: The digital stethoscope (DS) and computerised breath sound analysis has been used to assess normal and abnormal breath sounds in children 1 . This technique involves using recordings to obtain power spectrum profiles using Fourier transform, providing information in addition to what is available to the human ear 2 .…”