Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approach
Abstract Objectives Accurate age estimation is essential for assessing pediatric developmental stages and for forensics. Conventionally, pediatric age is clinically estimated by bone age through wrist X-rays. However, recent advances in deep learning enable other radiological modalities to serve as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Insights into Imaging |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-02068-5 |
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| author | Maolin Li Jiang Zhao Huanhuan Liu Biao Jin Xuee Cui Dengbin Wang |
| author_facet | Maolin Li Jiang Zhao Huanhuan Liu Biao Jin Xuee Cui Dengbin Wang |
| author_sort | Maolin Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives Accurate age estimation is essential for assessing pediatric developmental stages and for forensics. Conventionally, pediatric age is clinically estimated by bone age through wrist X-rays. However, recent advances in deep learning enable other radiological modalities to serve as a promising complement. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of deep learning for pediatric age estimation using chest X-rays. Materials and methods We developed a ResNet-based deep neural network model enhanced with Coordinate Attention mechanism to predict pediatric age from chest X-rays. A dataset comprising 128,008 images was retrospectively collected from two large tertiary hospitals in Shanghai. Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) were employed as main evaluation metrics across age groups. Further analysis was conducted using Spearman correlation and heatmap visualizations. Results The model achieved an MAE of 5.86 months for males and 5.80 months for females on the internal validation set. On the external test set, the MAE was 7.40 months for males and 7.29 months for females. The Spearman correlation coefficient was above 0.98, indicating a strong positive correlation between the predicted and true age. Heatmap analysis revealed the deep learning model mainly focused on the spine, mediastinum, heart and great vessels, with additional attention given to surrounding bones. Conclusions We successfully constructed a large dataset of pediatric chest X-rays and developed a neural network model integrated with Coordinate Attention for age prediction. Experiments demonstrated the model’s robustness and proved that chest X-rays can be effectively utilized for accurate pediatric age estimation. Critical relevance statement By integrating pediatric chest X-rays with age data using deep learning, we can provide more support for predicting children’s age, thereby aiding in the screening of abnormal growth and development in children. Key Points This study explores whether deep learning could leverage chest X-rays for pediatric age prediction. Trained on over 120,000 images, the model shows high accuracy on internal and external validation sets. This method provides a potential complement for traditional bone age assessment and could reduce radiation exposure. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-971c1add4a1f4030951c41fd196e52d4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1869-4101 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insights into Imaging |
| spelling | doaj-art-971c1add4a1f4030951c41fd196e52d42025-08-24T11:33:41ZengSpringerOpenInsights into Imaging1869-41012025-08-0116111010.1186/s13244-025-02068-5Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approachMaolin Li0Jiang Zhao1Huanhuan Liu2Biao Jin3Xuee Cui4Dengbin Wang5Department of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineAbstract Objectives Accurate age estimation is essential for assessing pediatric developmental stages and for forensics. Conventionally, pediatric age is clinically estimated by bone age through wrist X-rays. However, recent advances in deep learning enable other radiological modalities to serve as a promising complement. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of deep learning for pediatric age estimation using chest X-rays. Materials and methods We developed a ResNet-based deep neural network model enhanced with Coordinate Attention mechanism to predict pediatric age from chest X-rays. A dataset comprising 128,008 images was retrospectively collected from two large tertiary hospitals in Shanghai. Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) were employed as main evaluation metrics across age groups. Further analysis was conducted using Spearman correlation and heatmap visualizations. Results The model achieved an MAE of 5.86 months for males and 5.80 months for females on the internal validation set. On the external test set, the MAE was 7.40 months for males and 7.29 months for females. The Spearman correlation coefficient was above 0.98, indicating a strong positive correlation between the predicted and true age. Heatmap analysis revealed the deep learning model mainly focused on the spine, mediastinum, heart and great vessels, with additional attention given to surrounding bones. Conclusions We successfully constructed a large dataset of pediatric chest X-rays and developed a neural network model integrated with Coordinate Attention for age prediction. Experiments demonstrated the model’s robustness and proved that chest X-rays can be effectively utilized for accurate pediatric age estimation. Critical relevance statement By integrating pediatric chest X-rays with age data using deep learning, we can provide more support for predicting children’s age, thereby aiding in the screening of abnormal growth and development in children. Key Points This study explores whether deep learning could leverage chest X-rays for pediatric age prediction. Trained on over 120,000 images, the model shows high accuracy on internal and external validation sets. This method provides a potential complement for traditional bone age assessment and could reduce radiation exposure. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-02068-5Deep learningAge predictionPediatric growthChest X-ray |
| spellingShingle | Maolin Li Jiang Zhao Huanhuan Liu Biao Jin Xuee Cui Dengbin Wang Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approach Insights into Imaging Deep learning Age prediction Pediatric growth Chest X-ray |
| title | Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approach |
| title_full | Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approach |
| title_fullStr | Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approach |
| title_short | Predicting pediatric age from chest X-rays using deep learning: a novel approach |
| title_sort | predicting pediatric age from chest x rays using deep learning a novel approach |
| topic | Deep learning Age prediction Pediatric growth Chest X-ray |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-02068-5 |
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