221 - Parental Use of ChatGPT and Other Artificial Intelligence Tools for Pediatric Health Information: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Survey

Publication Number: 4218.221

saisree konda, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Amrita Gujar, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Trinita Robinson, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Ankita Nanda, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Chetana Rajesh, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Aashay N. Dharia, Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Lewis Krata, brooklyn Hospital Centerr, Brooklyn, NY, United States

Background: AI-driven systems like ChatGPT and Google Gemini have become accessible sources of health information for parents, particularly regarding children's ailments. While Al can assist in locating and understanding health issues, concerns about the accuracy and reliability of these tools remain. However, there is limited evidence on how parents utilize Al for pediatric health and their perceptions of its reliability compared to traditional medical sources.

Objective: To describe awareness, use patterns, and trust in AI-based tools among parents seeking pediatric health information.

Design/Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a QR-linked Google form in pediatric inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings. We assessed parental knowledge of AI, reliability, topics searched, frequency of usage, demographics, race, their education, and their dependability. We used open-ended questions to assess perceptions of parents. We utilized descriptive statistics to conduct analysis.

Results: In a study with a total of 42 parents involved, with a majority being women (61%), men (36%), and a significant portion (57%) aged 25-34, demographic insights revealed that 56% identified as Black or African American, while 19% were White or Caucasian. Educational attainment varied, with 24% having finished high school or less and 26% holding a graduate degree. A notable 86% were aware of Al tools like ChatGPT, with 57% using them for children's health inquiries, primarily via Google Gemini (40%) and ChatGPT (35%). Al utilization frequencies varied, with 42% never using it. Parents frequently searched topics such as fever and cough (50%), feeding (29%), and rashes (32%). Perceived reliability of Al assessments was mixed, with a majority rating it as moderately to highly reliable. Qualitative feedback highlighted convenience but raised concerns regarding accuracy and the importance of validated medical sources.

Conclusion(s): The study highlights that parents from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds utilize Al technologies like ChatGPT and Google Gemini for health-related information about their children. Despite their engagement, there is significant uncertainty regarding the reliability of these tools, highlighting the increasing dependence on Al in parental decision-making. It emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to guide families to credible digital health resources and calls for further multicenter studies to explore the impact of Al on parents' health literacy and their interactions with healthcare providers in pediatric care.

Figure 1.Parental Awareness, Frequency of Use, and Perceived Reliability of AI Tools for Pediatric Health Information (n = 42)
Image 11-3-25 at 7.57 PM.jpegA. Awareness of ChatGPT or similar AI tools (e.g., Google Gemini, Copilot) — 85.7 % of parents reported awareness.
B. Frequency of AI tool use for their child’s health information — 41.5 % had never used, 22 % used frequently, 19.5 % occasionally, and 17.1 % rarely.
C. Perceived reliability of information from AI tools — 31.7 % found them somewhat reliable, 26.8 % neutral, and 14.6 % each rated them somewhat or not reliable.