Pediatric Imaging Market Size & Outlook, 2026-2034

Pediatric Imaging Market Overview

The global pediatric imaging market size is valued at USD 9.67 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 18.07 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.23% during 2026-2034. The global market observed impressive growth stimulated by the increasing use of child-specific radiomics for micro anomaly detection.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• North America held a dominant share of the global market, accounting for 40.61% in 2025.
• The Asia Pacific region is estimated to grow at the fastest pace, with a CAGR of 9.16%.
• Based on modality, the ultrasound segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 8.15% during the forecast period.
• By application, the orthopedics segment dominated the market in 2025.
• On the basis of end use, the hospital segment dominated the market in 2025.
• The U.S. dominates the market, valued at USD 3.33 billion in 2024 and reaching USD 3.56 billion in 2025.

Table: U.S. Pediatric Imaging Market Size (USD Million)

Source: Straits Research

Market Size & Forecast

• 2025 Market Size: USD 9.67 billion
• 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 18.07 billion
• CAGR (2026-2034): 7.23%
• Dominating Region: North America
• Fastest Growing Region: Asia Pacific

The pediatric imaging market encompasses a diverse suite of diagnostic modalities, including MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, and others, designed to capture detailed anatomical and functional insights. These technologies support a wide range of clinical applications such as oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and neurology. Serving hospitals, diagnostic centers, and other healthcare settings, pediatric imaging enables precise and safe evaluations essential for early detection and ongoing care in children.

Latest Market Trends

Growing Adoption of AI-Enabled Low-Dose Imaging Systems

A key trend in the pediatric imaging market is the rapid transition toward AI-enabled, low dose imaging technologies that reduce radiation exposure while enhancing diagnostic precision. Healthcare providers are increasingly integrating AI-driven reconstruction algorithms, automated image optimization, and adaptive protocols tailored for children’s anatomy. This shift is improving scan quality, minimizing the repeat imaging, and elevating patient safety, ultimately strengthening confidence in advanced pediatric diagnostic workflows.

Increasing Use of Sedation-Free Pediatric Imaging Techniques

The rising adoption of sedation free imaging approaches is reshaping clinical workflows in the pediatric imaging market. Advanced MRI sequences, motion-correction technologies, child-friendly scanners, and immersive distraction tools are reducing the need for anesthesia in young patients. Healthcare providers across major regions now prioritize comfort-focused imaging to improve safety, shorten exam times, and increase patient throughput. As a result, sedation-free protocols are becoming a preferred standard, enhancing care quality and driving broader market acceptance.

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Market Drivers

Rising Incidence of Pediatric and Congenital Conditions is Driving Imaging Demand

A major driver boosting the pediatric imaging market is the growing prevalence of congenital disorders, childhood cancers, and early-onset chronic diseases, which increase demand for timely, accurate diagnostic imaging. For instance, rising global rates of congenital heart defects and pediatric neurological conditions have led more hospitals to adopt MRI and low-dose CT systems specifically geared toward children. This surge in clinical needs ensures pediatric imaging remains a critical investment area.

Market Restraints

High Cost of Advanced Pediatric Imaging Technologies

A major restraint in the pediatric imaging market is the substantial cost associated with acquiring and maintaining advanced child-specific imaging systems such as low-dose CT, high-resolution MRI, and premium pediatric ultrasound platforms. These technologies require capital investment as well as specialized radiology staff. For instance, many developing countries report limited adoption of pediatric MRI due to budget constraints, restricting access to high quality diagnostics and slowing overall market expansion.

Market Opportunity

Growing Penetration of Portable and Point-of-Care Imaging Solutions in Emerging Regions

The rising adoption of portable and point-of-care imaging devices across developing countries, where healthcare access gaps are substantial, is a key opportunity for market growth. Compact ultrasound and mobile X-ray systems are enabling faster diagnostics in rural and under-resourced settings. For instance, several pediatric hospitals in India and Indonesia have recently integrated handheld ultrasound devices to support neonatal and emergency care, creating strong growth potential for manufacturers during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

North America dominated the pediatric imaging market in 2025, accounting for 40.61% market share. This growth is driven by the rapid integration of pediatric-specific AI triage systems within emergency departments. These tools flag subtle abnormalities in real time, accelerating diagnostic decisions for infants and children and strengthening reliance on advanced imaging infrastructure across U.S. and Canadian hospitals.

In Canada, government-backed deployment of mobile MRI and ultrasound units to remote and Indigenous communities is improving access to early diagnostics, reducing travel burdens, and increasing the adoption of advanced pediatric imaging across underserved regions. This factor is supporting the growth of the market in Canada.

Asia Pacific Market Insights

Asis Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region with a CAGR of 9.16% from 2026-2034. The growth is driven by the expansion of tele-radiology networks connecting urban specialists with rural hospitals. This enables real-time image analysis, early diagnosis of congenital and chronic pediatric conditions, and wider access to advanced imaging across the region.

The Chinese pediatric imaging market is expanding due to the government-supported rollout of AI-assisted neonatal screening programs in major urban hospitals. These programs enable early detection of congenital heart defects and metabolic disorders, increasing demand for advanced, child-specific imaging technologies nationwide.

Regional Market share (%) in 2025

Source: Straits Research

Europe Market Insights

In Europe, the market growth is accelerated by the widespread implementation of radiation-free MRI protocols for routine scoliosis and musculoskeletal screenings in children. This approach enhances patient safety, encourages early diagnosis, and increases adoption of advanced imaging across pediatric hospitals and clinics.

In Germany, the pediatric imaging market is experiencing growth due to the integration of dose optimization software in national pediatric radiology programs, enabling precise, low radiation CT and X-ray scans while maintaining diagnostic accuracy, thereby boosting adoption in hospitals and specialized children’s clinics.

Latin America Market Insights

In Latin America, the market growth is propelled by the rise of public-private partnerships funding mobile imaging units in underserved regions, enabling early detection of congenital and chronic pediatric conditions while expanding access to advanced ultrasound and low-dose radiology services.

In Brazil, the pediatric imaging market growth is supported by the implementation of school-based health screening initiatives using portable ultrasound and low-dose X-ray devices. These programs enable early detection of musculoskeletal and abdominal abnormalities in children, increasing demand for pediatric imaging services and supporting the expansion of regional diagnostic networks.

Middle East and Africa Market Insights

In the Middle East and Africa, the pediatric imaging market is expanding due to the rapid deployment of solar-powered mobile imaging units in remote and rural areas, improving access to advanced ultrasound and X-ray diagnostics for children with limited healthcare infrastructure.

In Saudi Arabia, the country’s increasing investment in dedicated pediatric oncology imaging centers, equipped with hybrid PET-MRI systems, enables precise tumor detection and treatment monitoring in children, which is boosting demand for advanced diagnostic imaging technologies.

Modality Insights

The magnetic resonance imaging segment dominated the market in 2025, accounting for 36.02% of revenue share. This growth is driven by the rising use of silent sequence MRI tailored for noise-sensitive pediatric patients. These ultra-quiet scans reduce acoustic stress, enabling clearer imaging without sedation, improving cooperation in infants and neurodivergent children, and enhancing diagnostic reliability.

The ultrasound segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.15% during the forecast timeframe. This growth is augmented by the expanding use of microvascular Doppler techniques to visualize extremely small blood vessels in infants. This advancement enables earlier detection of subtle perfusion abnormalities, improving evaluation of neonatal organs and fostering wider adoption of advanced pediatric ultrasound systems.

By Modality Market Share (%), 2025

Source: Straits Research

Application Insights

The orthopedics segment dominated the market in 2025, accounting for 32.78% revenue share in 2025. This growth is driven by the rising use of weight bearing pediatric imaging systems that capture real time joint alignment under natural load. This capability improves assessment of growth-related deformities, enabling more precise treatment planning for conditions like genu valgum and early-stage scoliosis in children.

The gastroenterology segment is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.03% during the forecast period. This growth is stimulated by rising incidence of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders that require frequent, radiation free monitoring. Innovations like child adapted elastography and contrast-enhanced bowel ultrasound are enabling earlier, clearer assessment of inflammation and liver abnormalities, driving higher adoption of advanced GI imaging.

End Use Insights

The hospitals segment dominated the market in 2025 because of the increasing establishment of dedicated pediatric imaging suites equipped with child-specific coils, distraction systems, and rapid scan technologies. These specialized environments allow hospitals to perform complex diagnostics with higher accuracy and reduced sedation, attracting greater patient volumes.

The diagnostic center segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.94% during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for faster, outpatient-based pediatric imaging that avoids hospital waiting times. Their adoption of quick turnaround, low-dose modalities tailored for children is attracting higher referral volumes, making them preferred hubs for efficient pediatric diagnostics.

Competitive Landscape

The pediatric imaging market is moderately consolidated, with a few global firms such as GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Philips, FUJIFILM, and Carestream capturing major revenue share. Product innovation in low-dose systems, portable ultrasound, and AI-driven diagnostics has intensified rivalry, prompting strategic moves such as partnerships, R&D investments, and portfolio expansions. Regional specialists and emerging vendors further fragment niches, keeping competitive dynamics active across hospitals, diagnostic centers, and value based care settings.

Mindray Bio‑Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.: An emerging market player

Mindray is emerging as a noteworthy player in the market. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, it offers a broad medical imaging portfolio, including ultrasound and diagnostic systems tailored to pediatric requirements.

• For instance, in 2024, the company announced a strategic collaboration with a major children’s medical centre to deploy its pediatric ultrasound and AI-powered imaging platform, aiming to enable sedation free scans and dose optimized diagnostics.

List of key players in Pediatric Imaging Market

1. AGFA HealthCare
2. Analogic
3. CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
4. Carestream Health
5. Esaote
6. FUJIFILM
7. GE Healthcare
8. Hyperfine
9. LMT Medical Systems
10. Mindray 
11. Samsung Healthcare
12. Shimadzu
13. Siemens Healthineers
14. Others

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Strategic Initiative

• January 2024: Carestream Health launched an upgraded DRX-Excel Plus X-ray System featuring an automatic grid-parking function, offering improved support for pediatric exams and enhancing efficiency in both general radiology and fluoroscopy settings.