Artificial intelligence in pediatric nursing and its education: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms healthcare delivery by improving patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. In pediatric nursing, AI meets the unique needs of children through family-centered care approaches that leverage machine learning for predictive analytics and automated decision-making. PURPOSE: To synthesize evidence on the applications, benefits, and challenges of AI in pediatric nursing and nursing education, including its impact on family-centered care, clinical outcomes, and educational proficiency. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL from 2000 to March 2025. The PRISMA flow diagram outlines the methodical selection procedure employed in this review. RESULTS: Nine studies were identified involving 1508 participants, including pediatric nurses, healthcare providers, and nursing students. The review reveals significant enhancements in pediatric care quality through AI applications, notably parental engagement and wound healing. AI technologies, such as family-centered care systems and adaptive e-learning tools, improve healthcare providers' knowledge. Furthermore, AI-assisted educational resources, like ChatGPT and virtual counseling, enhance nursing students' critical thinking and communication skills. However, challenges related to ethics, data security, and the necessity for healthcare professionals to develop AI literacy remain. CONCLUSION: While AI integration in pediatric nursing offers substantial benefits, it presents ethical and data security challenges. To effectively address these issues, healthcare professionals must develop AI literacy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Future research should involve larger, diverse populations across pediatric settings to evaluate AI's long-term efficacy in pediatric nursing, and hybrid models that merge traditional practices with AI technologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic review registration: PROSPERO number: CRD42024616000.