The field of nuclear medicine plays an essential role in the diagnosis and management of pediatric diseases, providing functional imaging and targeted therapies that are less invasive and highly informative for clinicians. In recent years, the use of nuclear medicine techniques in pediatric populations has grown, encompassing areas such as oncology, cardiology, nephrology, and neurology. However, the unique physiological considerations, developmental variability, and safety concerns of pediatric patients demand a tailored approach that is distinctly different from adult practice. Current evidence highlights the need for optimized protocols that minimize radiation exposure while ensuring diagnostic accuracy and clinical value, as well as collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches for complex cases.
Despite advances in radiopharmaceutical development, imaging technologies, and dosimetry, challenges persist in harmonizing guidelines and access to pediatric nuclear medicine across institutions and regions. Recent studies demonstrate notable progress in areas such as PET/MRI fusion imaging for pediatric tumors, neurodevelopmental disorder assessment, and renal functional studies using novel tracers. Still, gaps remain regarding standardized imaging protocols, long-term safety data, and age-specific reference values. There is ongoing debate concerning sedation, dosimetry optimisation, and ethical considerations surrounding consent and assent in younger populations.
To date, a recent topic is emerging about how to safely use artificial intelligence in our discipline, eventually also in paediatric population.
This Research Topic aims to consolidate and stimulate a scientific debate that addresses the unique needs and challenges in pediatric nuclear medicine. It will focus on improving diagnostic and therapeutic protocols, assessing innovative imaging agents and techniques, and fostering international consensus on safety and best practices. Key questions include how best to tailor nuclear medicine practices to pediatric physiology, what recent advances offer the most clinical promise, and how to achieve global equity in pediatric nuclear medicine care.
To gather further insights in pediatric nuclear medicine, this Research Topic welcomes articles addressing areas of innovation and ongoing clinical need, including but not limited to the following themes:
• Optimization of radiopharmaceutical dosing and protocols for children
• Advances in hybrid imaging technologies and their pediatric applications
• Safety, ethical, and regulatory considerations in pediatric nuclear medicine
• Standardization of guidelines and quality improvement initiatives
• Emerging therapies and theranostic approaches in pediatric populations
• Impact of AI in paediatric nuclear medicine.
Topic Coordinator Catia Olanti is employed by Keosys. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
