The impact of neurological disorders on hospital admissions for children and young people: a routine health data study

Abstract

Introduction Neurological conditions are a major and increasing cause of hospitalisation among children and young people, but little is known about the impact of neurological conditions on hospital services in England, nor the factors that influence length of stay and bed days per year.

Outpatient appointment non‐attendance and unplanned health care for children and young people with neurological conditions: a retrospective cohort study

“…epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Batten disease) are a major and increasing 6 cause of hospitalization among children and young people, accounting for 5 per cent to 10 per cent of their admissions, around 20 per cent of costs, and 14 per cent of bed days in the United States. 6,7 In the UK, neurological conditions account for 30 per cent to 40 per cent of deaths in children aged 1 year to 19 years, 8 8.8 per cent of bed days for children up to 14 years, 9 and are the third most common primary reason for paediatric intensive care unit admission. 10 Children and young people with neurological conditions often have scheduled outpatient appointments to manage their condition and any comorbidities; good management of conditions should reduce A&E visits and emergency hospital admissions.…”

Hospital admissions in children with developmental disabilities from ethnic minority backgrounds

“…[1][2][3] This heterogeneous group of disorders is associated with physical comorbidities and psychological impairments that increase the likelihood of hospital admission across childhood and adulthood. [4][5][6][7] For example, in our population study children with intellectual disability were 3 to 10 times more likely to be admitted to hospital compared to the rest of the population, while the rates for children with ASD were still elevated but less so than for intellectual disability. 4 Increased hospital admissions and emergency department use, particularly during the transition to adulthood, have also been reported elsewhere for adolescents with ASD.…”

“…They commonly comprise, but are not limited to, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and cerebral palsy (CP) . This heterogeneous group of disorders is associated with physical comorbidities and psychological impairments that increase the likelihood of hospital admission across childhood and adulthood . For example, in our population study children with intellectual disability were 3 to 10 times more likely to be admitted to hospital compared to the rest of the population, while the rates for children with ASD were still elevated but less so than for intellectual disability .…”

Hospitalization rates of children by developmental disability, maternal nativity, and Indigenous status: the complexity of intersectionality

“…As a result of more complex health needs, children with developmental disabilities may have disparate patterns of outpatient care, hospitalization, and emergency department usage, compared to children without disability. 1 Differential patterns of healthcare utilization for children with developmental disabilities may also reflect disability-related disparities driven by social, economic, physical, and stigmatizing barriers that hinder the access these children have to timely, appropriate, and respectful healthcare. 2 Similarly, disparities in health and healthcare exist for children belonging to minority backgrounds-defined on the basis of race, ethnicity, and Indigenous status, as well as country of origin or family immigration status.…”