REVIEWS
IMAJ | volume 27
Journal 3, March 2025
pages: 183-188
Artificial Intelligence: Large Language Models in Pediatrics. What Do We Know So Far?
1 Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
2 Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
3 Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, affiliated with Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
4 Department of Hematology, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus), Petah Tikva, Israel
5 Division of Data-Driven and Digital Medicine (D3M), Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
6 Windereich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
7 National Hemophilia Center, Coagulation Unit, and Biron Research Institute of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
8 Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
Summary
Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI's ChatGPT, has shown potential in various medical fields, including pediatrics. We evaluated the utility and integration of LLMs in pediatric medicine. We conducted a search in PubMed using specific keywords related to LLMs and pediatric care. Studies were included if they assessed LLMs in pediatric settings, were published in English, peer-reviewed, and reported measurable outcomes. Sixteen studies spanning pediatric sub-specialties such as ophthalmology, cardiology, otology, and emergency medicine were analyzed. The findings indicate that LLMs provide valuable diagnostic support and information management. However, their performance varied, with limitations in complex clinical scenarios and decision-making. Despite excelling in tasks requiring data summarization and basic information delivery, the effectiveness of the models in nuanced clinical decision-making was restricted. LLMs, including ChatGPT, show promise in enhancing pediatric medical care but exhibit inconsistent performance in complex clinical situations. This finding underscores the importance of continuous human oversight. Future integration of LLMs into clinical practice should be approached with caution to ensure they supplement, rather than supplant, expert medical judgment.