Trends in hospitalization characteristics for pediatric nephrotic syndrome in the USA

Abstract

Aim: The overall aim of the current study was to analyze trends in hospital charges, length of stay (LOS), and mortality for children hospitalized with nephrotic syndrome (NS) in the US.

Methods: Hospitalization characteristics for children ages 0 - 17 years discharged with the principal diagnosis of NS (ICD-9-CM 581.9) in 2000, 2003, and 2006 were evaluated using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Kids' Inpatient Database (KID).

Results: The mean number of children hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of NS was 1,869 per year. These discharges accounted for mean total hospital charges that increased from $11,338 to $16,760 and aggregate hospital charges that increased from $21 to $31 million dollars from 2000 to 2006. Compared to non-children's hospitals, children's hospitals had significantly higher mean hospital charges and longer lengths of stay. Importantly, the estimated mortality rate for NS (< 0.5%) was notably lower than prior reports and remained stable throughout the study period.

Conclusions: The national health care expenditures for pediatric NS related hospitalizations are both significant and growing, although mortality is now far lower than previously reported.