Evaluating the accuracy of artificial intelligence-powered chest X-ray diagnosis for paediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (EVAL-PAEDTBAID): Study protocol for a multi-centre diagnostic accuracy study.

Journal: BMJ open
Published Date: Jul 28, 2025

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children is challenging owing to paucibacillary disease, non-specific symptoms and signs and challenges in microbiological confirmation. Chest X-ray (CXR) interpretation is fundamental for diagnosis and classifying disease as severe or non-severe. In adults with PTB, there is substantial evidence showing the usefulness of artificial intelligence (AI) in CXR interpretation, but very limited data exist in children.

Authors

  • Brekhna Aurangzeb
    Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
  • Dennis Robert
    Qure.AI, Bangalore, India.
  • Cynthia Baard
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Abid Ali Qureshi
    Department of Radiology, University of Child Health Sciences, Children's Hospital Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Aneela Shaheen
    Department of Paediatric Medicine, Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Atiqa Ambreen
    Department of Microbiology, Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • David McFarlane
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Humera Javed
    Department of Microbiology, University of Child Health Sciences, Children's Hospital Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Iqbal Bano
    Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Justy Antony Chiramal
    Product, Qure.ai Technologies Private Limited, New York City, New York, USA.
  • Lesley Workman
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Tanyia Pillay
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Zoe Franckling-Smith
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Tehmina Mustafa
    Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
  • Savvas Andronikou
    Department of Paediatric Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Civic Centre Boulevard, Philadelphia, USA.
  • Heather J Zar
    Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. heather.zar@uct.ac.za.

Keywords

External Resources

Popular Topics
Recent Journals