Influence of Obesity Diagnosis With Organ Dysfunction, Mortality, and Resource Use Among Children Hospitalized With Infection in the United States

Abstract

While there was no difference in in-hospital mortality by obesity diagnosis, variation in organ dysfunction, hospital stay, and hospital charges according to obesity status was mediated by illness severity. Findings from this study have significant implications for targeted approaches to mitigate the burden of obesity on infection and sepsis.

Sepsis Patients in Critical Care Units with Obesity: Is Obesity Protective?

“…Several studies have also demonstrated an increased risk of developing infection and sepsis with worse outcomes in infections compared to normal weight patients [11]. Surprisingly, in sepsis, obesity has been revealed in several studies to have better mortality outcomes compared to leaner patients.…”

Outcomes and Resource Use Among Overweight and Obese Children With Sepsis in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

“…For instance, hospitalized obese children under 20 years of age with sepsis had higher occurrence of organ dysfunction and longer hospitalization compared to normal weight patients, with no difference in in-hospital mortality. 17 Other pediatric studies have similarly not identified differences in mortality rate by obesity status, 17 –19 although there have been reported differences in resource use and morbidity, including longer hospital stay for obese children with status asthmaticus 20 and higher rates of hospital-acquired infections in obese children undergoing mechanical ventilation. 18…”

Effect of obesity on mortality among hospitalized paediatric patients with severe sepsis

“…Several studies have shown an association between obesity and poor outcomes in infectious diseases and sepsis 13‐16 . Another study evaluating the influence of obesity on sepsis reported no difference in mortality among patients with and without obesity 17 . Finally, some studies have also demonstrated a protective effect with improved outcomes, an entity often referred to as the ‘obesity survival paradox’ 7,13,18‐20 …”