Having the right stethoscope can make a huge difference in a pediatrician’s ability to accurately diagnose and treat young patients. While there are several types of stethoscopes on the market, most of them are not suitable for use with children. In this guide, we will explain the key factors to consider when buying a stethoscope for pediatrics, as well as review the best products for your specific needs. Now, let’s find out the best stethoscope for pediatricians!
Key Features of Pediatric Stethoscopes
The main factors to consider when buying a stethoscope specialized for pediatric use are the size of the diaphragm and the frequency response.
Smaller Diaphragm Size for Specialized Pediatric Stethoscopes
The diaphragm is the part of the stethoscope that vibrates to produce sound waves. Pediatric stethoscopes should have a smaller diaphragm, which is more effective for detecting sounds in smaller bodies. A smaller diaphragm can also be more comfortable for children to wear, as well as ensure a good contact with the surface of their skin.
Higher Frequency Response of Stethoscopes for Pediatric Use
The frequency response refers to the range of frequencies that a stethoscope can detect. Pediatric stethoscopes are specifically designed to have a higher frequency response, which allows them to better detect higher pitched sounds like those produced by small lungs or hearts. Higher frequency response is crucial for pediatric stethoscopes because children’s bodies produce higher pitched sounds than adults. On the other hand, a stethoscope with a low frequency response may not be able to detect certain sounds, which could affect the accuracy of your diagnoses. Therefore, a good pediatric stethoscope should be able to accurately detect sounds produced at a broad range of frequencies, in order to make the best diagnosis for all young patients.
Best Stethoscope for Pediatricians
Littmann Classic II Pediatric #2153 and Classic II Infant #2114 Stethoscopes
Littmann Stethoscopes are proudly made in the USA and are trusted by millions of medical professionals worldwide. The Classic II Pediatric and Classic II Infant are two high-quality stethoscopes perfectly adapted for pediatric patients.
Click here to see the Littmann Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope #2153 on Amazon
Their soft-sealing ear tips provide an excellent acoustic seal and comfortable fit. These stethoscopes are rated 7 on the Littmann scale of acoustic performance, which means that they have high acoustic sensitivity and are perfect for the diagnosis, physical assessment and monitoring of pediatric patients.
Furthermore, these stethoscopes have a dual-sided chest piece ideal for both low and high frequencies. Professionals or students can easily use them to listen to any body sounds like those generated by the heart and lungs of small patients. The Classic II stethoscopes are also made with a non-chill rim and diaphragm, which provide more comfort for the patients.
Another great feature of the Classic II stethoscopes is the high quality of the tubing, which is specifically designed to retain its shape and flexibility even after being extensively used. This next-generation tubing does not contain rubber, latex or phthalates to prevent any risk of allergies and to be environmentally friendly. As a result, this high-quality material is perfectly safe to use even with the most sensitive skin.
It is worth noting that this material provides longer stethoscope life due to its improved resistance to skin oils and alcohol, and also make them less likely to stain. The length of their single lumen tubing is 27 inches (71 cm) and the overall weight of these stethoscopes is about 3.5 oz (100 g).
Depending on your type of medical practice, I would highly recommend either the Classic II Pediatric or the Classic II Infant. The main difference between these two stethoscopes is the size of their diaphragm. The Classic II pediatric has a diaphragm of 1.2 inch (3.3 cm). On the other hand, the Classic II infant has a head size of 0.8 inch (2.7 cm) perfect to use with smaller patients.
Click here to see the Littmann Classic II Infant Stethoscope #2114 on Amazon
The Classic II Pediatric or Infant are among the best stethoscopes for pediatricians. One of the most convenient ways to buy them is probably online, as they are sold and shipped to most places directly from Amazon. In addition, these stethoscopes have very good reviews with several hundreds of units sold and an average rating above 4.5 stars.
These stethoscopes also come with detailed instructions, a phone application, and are fully covered by a 3-year warranty. Please click on the pictures and links above to see these stethoscopes on Amazon. Finally, feel free to have a look at the following video below for a brief overview of these two stethoscopes from Littmann.
ADC Adscope 618 Pediatric and 605 Premium Infant Clinician Stethoscopes
The following stethoscopes are really good for the price! They offer great acoustics at an affordable price. These stethoscopes from the American Diagnostic Corporation (ADC) are assembled and individually tested in the USA to ensure that are meeting the highest standards. In addition, they are covered by a lifetime warranty for parts and replacements.
Click here to see the ADC Adscope 618 Pediatric Stethoscope for Clinicians on Amazon
The ADC Adscope 618 Pediatric is probably the most child-friendly stethoscope for pediatricians. It has the best design with interchangeable Snap-on animal faces: Panda, Frog, Koala, Deer, Monkey, Bear and Tiger. The stethoscope is made of silicone-reinforced and phthalate-free PVC tubing with lightweight aluminum alloy binaurals. The overall length of the stethoscope is 30 inches (76.2 cm) and it weights 3 oz (85 g).
A great feature of the Adscope 618 Pediatric stethoscope is its acoustic performances. This stethoscope is using a proprietary technology called Adjustable Frequency Design (AFD) to ensure the best acoustics over a broad range of frequencies. For low frequencies, all you have to do is to apply a light pressure. Otherwise, you can apply a firm pressure for better results with high frequencies. The diaphragm size of this stethoscope is 1.5 inch (3.8 cm), which is also perfect for pediatric use.
Click here to see the ADC Adscope 605 Premium Infant Stethoscope on Amazon
In addition, there is another great stethoscope from ADC, which is specifically designed to use with infants. The Adscope 605 Infant stethoscope has a dual chest piece with a non-chill diaphragm of 1 1/8 inch (2.9 cm). This ultra-sensitive diaphragm is ideal for listening at higher frequencies. On the other hand, this stethoscope is equipped with a bell measuring 7/8 inch (2.2 cm), which offers great acoustics at low frequencies. The overall length of this stethoscope is 29.5 inches (74.9 cm) and it weights 4.1 oz (116 g).
In my opinion, both of these stethoscopes from ADC are really great products. They are engineered with high-quality materials and the acoustic performances of these stethoscopes are outstanding, especially for such a low price! No wonder why they are highly appreciated on Amazon with an overall rating above 4.5 stars and hundreds of reviews!
MDF Sprague Rappaport Stethoscope with Convertible Chest Piece for Adults, Pediatrics, and Infants
The Sprague Rappaport stethoscope from MDF Instruments has a classic design that has been proven to be efficient for detecting faint heart sounds. This stethoscope is a sturdy instrument providing good precision and accuracy!
This stethoscope is composed of a dual-head chest piece with a bell and diaphragm. The bell is perfect for low frequency sounds ranging from 20 to 100 Hz, while the diaphragm is ideal for higher frequencies (100-1000 Hz).
The main advantage of this stethoscope over other models presented above is its versatility. It comes with 3 different heads sizes that can be easily be switched to accurately diagnose adults, as well as pediatric or infant patients.
In addition, the dual lumen tubing provides a separate channel for each ear for better sound clarity. The tubing is made of high quality and latex-free material that is resistant to stains or cracks.
Another great feature of this stethoscope is that it is supplied with 3 sizes of ComfortSeal eartips made of soft silicone to provide the ultimate comfort experience. It is also worth mentioning that this stethoscope is covered by MDF’s program “free parts for life”.
In summary, this MDF Sprague Rappaport stethoscope is a great value, and it can be used either for adults, children or infants. You can expect good acoustic for any type of patients at a reasonable price. Finally, I particularly like the 22K gold-plated finish giving it such a unique and elegant look!
Prestige Medical Pediatric Clinical I Stethoscope
This stethoscope from Prestige Medical is another really good choice for pediatricians! It comes in different colors and is also available in adult, or infant size.
Click here to see the Prestige Medical Pediatric Clinical I Stethoscope
The Pediatric Clinical I stethoscope is great for general practice, or if you just started your career. This stethoscope can be used easily for basic auscultation and monitoring of pediatric patients. While you may not get the same level of quality offered by higher-end stethoscopes like the Littmann, this is still a nice product nonetheless. This stethoscope also has very good reviews on Amazon with an overall rating above 4.5 stars.
The binaural and chest piece are made of stainless steel with PVC tubing and soft silicone eartips. In addition, the length of this stethoscope is 31 inches (78.7 cm) and it weights 3.9 oz (85 g).
In summary, this stethoscope is made of high-quality material and offers great acoustic performances for a low price. It would be without any doubt a good choice for a first stethoscope or for a medical student.
Best Stethoscope for Pediatricians: Final Recommendations
As you may have noticed already, there are a lot of good options if you want to purchase a stethoscope specialized for pediatric use. I would highly recommend getting any of the Littmann stethoscopes if you are looking for the best quality and acoustics you could get. The Classic II Pediatric is by far the best stethoscope for pediatricians on the market.
However, it may not always be necessary to use higher-end stethoscopes and there are also good products available at an affordable price. These stethoscopes are perfect to check blood pressure manually or for basic auscultation and monitoring of young patients. For example, the ADC Adscope Pediatric is probably the best stethoscope for pediatric nurses and students.
If you are dealing with different types of patients including adults or infants, I would also recommend getting the MDF Sprague Rappaport stethoscope. This model is great and you can easily swap the heads to change the diaphragm size. This is perfect if you are looking for a more than just a pediatric stethoscope. In conclusion, this is a nice and polyvalent stethoscope, which would be great for EMT worker or for general practice doctors or nurses.
I hope that you enjoyed reading these reviews about the best stethoscopes for pediatricians. Feel free to share your thoughts about these stethoscopes in the comment section down below. Before leaving, please also have a look at my previous posts to find the best microscopes for beginners or to find the best ultrasonic oil diffusers used for aromatherapy.