Volume 36, Issue 255 (3-2026)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026, 36(255): 12-20 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Alijanpour P, Keshavarz K, Hasanpour S, Saeedi zand N, Esmailzadeh F, Alijanpour M. Evaluation of brain CT scan results and costs in pediatric and adolescent patients at a children’s hospital in northern Iran. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026; 36 (255) :12-20
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22623-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22623-en.html
Pouria Alijanpour 
, Khosro Keshavarz , Somayeh Hasanpour , Nazanin Saeedi zand , Firuzeh Esmailzadeh , Morteza Alijanpour
, Khosro Keshavarz , Somayeh Hasanpour , Nazanin Saeedi zand , Firuzeh Esmailzadeh , Morteza Alijanpour
Abstract: (91 Views)
Background and purpose: The unnecessary use of Computed Tomography (CT) scans in children and adolescents can be associated with significant complications and a financial burden. This study aimed to evaluate the findings, indications, and economic burden of brain CT scans performed in children and adolescents referred to Amirkola Children's Hospital during 2021-2023.
Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical (cross-sectional) study was conducted on patients aged 1 month to 18 years who were referred to Amirkola Children's Hospital, Babol, Iran, who underwent brain CT scans with various complaints, including seizures and headaches, during 2021-2023. Demographic information, imaging indications, and findings (normal/abnormal), and costs were assessed.
Results: Among the 1114 children aged 1 month to 18 years, 663 (59.5%) were boys, and 257 (23.1%) were under 1 year of age. 578 children (51.9%) had normal CT scan results, and 536 (48.1%) had abnormal results. Abnormal results were significantly more common in children under 1 year of age than in older children (p<0.001). The most common indications for brain CT scan included seizures (with or without fever) in 349 cases (53.8%) and brain symptoms due to systemic diseases in 101 cases (15.6%). The results of the study showed that the cost of brain CT scans increased remarkably throughout the study years, and the total financial burden in children and adolescents with normal and abnormal CT scan findings was estimated to be 1,233,976,429 and 1,253,638,823 rials, respectively.
Conclusion: Given that more than 50% of CT scan findings in this study were normal, this could lead to unnecessary financial expenditures.
Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical (cross-sectional) study was conducted on patients aged 1 month to 18 years who were referred to Amirkola Children's Hospital, Babol, Iran, who underwent brain CT scans with various complaints, including seizures and headaches, during 2021-2023. Demographic information, imaging indications, and findings (normal/abnormal), and costs were assessed.
Results: Among the 1114 children aged 1 month to 18 years, 663 (59.5%) were boys, and 257 (23.1%) were under 1 year of age. 578 children (51.9%) had normal CT scan results, and 536 (48.1%) had abnormal results. Abnormal results were significantly more common in children under 1 year of age than in older children (p<0.001). The most common indications for brain CT scan included seizures (with or without fever) in 349 cases (53.8%) and brain symptoms due to systemic diseases in 101 cases (15.6%). The results of the study showed that the cost of brain CT scans increased remarkably throughout the study years, and the total financial burden in children and adolescents with normal and abnormal CT scan findings was estimated to be 1,233,976,429 and 1,253,638,823 rials, respectively.
Conclusion: Given that more than 50% of CT scan findings in this study were normal, this could lead to unnecessary financial expenditures.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
children
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Articles Copyright © The Author(s). Owned by Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.
Contact Us
Address: Journal Office, Building No. 2, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Square, Sari.Tel: +98 (011)34484874 Postal code: 48175-866 E-Mail: jmums@mazums.ac.ir Telefax: +98 (011)33262679
