Physical exams may not reliably diagnose pediatric pneumonia
Clinicians may not agree on physical exam findings for youth with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), according to a study published online Aug. 20 in JAMA Network Open.
A study published in JAMA Network Open on August 20, 2026, found that physical examinations may not consistently diagnose pediatric pneumonia (CAP). Researchers from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, led by Dr. Shubhada Hooli, analyzed 252 children aged 3 months to 17 years diagnosed with CAP. The study aimed to assess interrater reliability (IRR) of physical examination findings.
The results showed no physical examination finding met the predefined significance for IRR. The highest IRR was observed for wheezing (κ=0.50) and retractions (κ=0.49). IRRs for physical examinations remained similar between youth discharged home and those hospitalized. The study highlights the challenge of diagnosing pneumonia due to clinicians' differing physical exam findings.
Dr. Todd Florin, senior author from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasized the need for improved decision-making tools in diagnosing CAP.
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