best stethoscope for peds?

[MeMoMa]

Lost my stethoscope and starting peds residency soon, wondering what everyone recommends. thanks!

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[J-Rad]

Lost my stethoscope and starting peds residency soon, wondering what everyone recommends. thanks!

Whichever is
1. Comfortable
2. You can hear well with
3. Dual lumen which IMHO imparts better fidelity.

 

[umass rower]

I recommend trying to get a color that suits you. Leave the black stethoscopes for those unimaginative IM residents.

 

[Cuthbert]

Lost my stethoscope and starting peds residency soon, wondering what everyone recommends. thanks!

I use a Littmann Cardiology III (Blue). It works well for me. I never missed a murmur that the cardiologists heard. I was worried that it would be too large when listening to babies in the clinic, however, most of the peds cardiologists used the same stethescope. I figured if it worked for them it would work for me... I haven't been disappointed.

 

[twilightdoc]

I use a Littmann Cardiology III (Blue). It works well for me. I never missed a murmur that the cardiologists heard. I was worried that it would be too large when listening to babies in the clinic, however, most of the peds cardiologists used the same stethescope. I figured if it worked for them it would work for me... I haven't been disappointed.

I agree with the Littmann Cardiology III. I would not recommend buying a "pediatric-size" stethoscope as my only one. Most babies in the NICU will have a dedicated stethoscope at their bedside for you to use. A good regular-size stethoscope has better acoustics and is more versatile.

 

[J-Rad]

I've had my Littman cardiology III since MS1 (~10 years now). Always worked well for me. I don't miss murmurs with it and have heard the ejection click of a bicuspid aortic valve on a 2 day old with it. That said, some swear by "X" (other) brand of stethoscope. I say go for it-whatever works. Even the $20 Sprague-Rappaport style scopes work pretty well for a lot of people.

 

[Sweet Tea]

I have also been using the same Littman Cardiology III (maroon) since my MSI year. The only times I've missed a murmur have been when I didn't know what a murmur sounded like. I had to replace the ear buds this year, but that's been my only complaint. Like others have said, most NICU babies will have their own dedicated stethoscope.

 

[Cuthbert]

I had to replace the ear buds this year, but that's been my only complaint.

Mentioning the ear buds brings up a good point. You probably already know this, but I'll mention it anyway for anyone else reading this thread... It is extremely important to play around with the different styles and sizes of ear buds. Personally, I prefer the soft ones - they seem to provide better sound isolation for me. I can't hear a thing with those hard buds.

I agree with J-Rad as well. There are plenty of good stethoscopes out there; get what works for you.

 

[Stitch]

So will this make stethoscopes obsolete? It's only $8500.

 

[nrupatunga]

When it comes to detecting murmurs, its the 'brains' between those ears which actually matters. Littman Pediatric is fine for me. I have a black one. Its my favorite since my residency times...my friend found that for me....

 

[McGillGrad]

I like anything Littman for kids and the pediatric Littman for the babies. They just look cool to me, too.

 

[motorola]

I would recommend Littmann Cardiology III. We take care of a lot of teenagers and obese kids. Classic II Pediatric seems to be inadequate. The only down side is there is no 'true' bell in Cardiology III but if you press lightly it works like a bell.

 

[theperception]

Lost my stethoscope and starting peds residency soon, wondering what everyone recommends. thanks!

I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned the Welch Allen Harvey Elite. It have interchangeable heads for adults and pediatrics. It's one of the best cardio stethoscopes around. My sister has the Welch allen Harvey Deluxe which is even better. I think the Welch Allen Stethoscopes are better than the Littmann's since the buyout by 3M.

Best thing to do is to try them out and hear the differences 🙂

 

[Cuthbert]

I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned the Welch Allen Harvey Elite. It have interchangeable heads for adults and pediatrics. It's one of the best cardio stethoscopes around. My sister has the Welch allen Harvey Deluxe which is even better. I think the Welch Allen Stethoscopes are better than the Littmann's since the buyout by 3M.

Best thing to do is to try them out and hear the differences 🙂

Strange post...

New member, one post. Hmmm.

 

[jcu]

Pertinent bump? I have the Littmann master classic (single-sided chestpiece) which has served me well since MS1. But, looks ridiculous when auscultating a toddler. With internship a hop skip and a jump away, do you guys recommend a replacement? At the very least a stethoscope with a dedicated diaphragm and bell?

 

[J-Rad]

Everything above is still pertinent. I still have my Cardiology III. I have a diaphragm on the bell (making it a pedi-sized diaphragm. This gets replaced every few years). Still hear what I need to hear.

 

[g12321]

I use a Littmann Cardiology III (Blue). It works well for me. I never missed a murmur that the cardiologists heard. I was worried that it would be too large when listening to babies in the clinic, however, most of the peds cardiologists used the same stethescope. I figured if it worked for them it would work for me... I haven't been disappointed.

got the same (black though), for NICU you can invest in the Littmann Classic II infant

 

[deleted311769]

got the same (black though), for NICU you can invest in the Littmann Classic II infant

Do not get a stethoscope for NICU. I have never been in a NICU where each baby didn't have their own stethoscope for infection control purposes. Frequently they are good ones too.

Babies are born with little hats and stethoscopes. I thought that was common knowledge 🙂