TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - National trends in the cost burden of pediatric gunshot wounds across the United States
JO  - Journal of pediatrics
A1  - Sidhu, Sonam
A1  - Mandelbaum, Ava
A1  - Dobaria, Vishal
A1  - Williamson, Catherine G.
A1  - Tran, Zachary
A1  - Sullins, Veronica
A1  - Benharash, Peyman
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize hospitalization costs attributable to gun-related injuries in children across the US. STUDY DESIGN: The 2005-2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify all pediatric admissions for gunshot wounds (GSW). Patients were stratified by ICD-procedural codes for trauma-related operations. Annual trends in GSW hospitalizations and costs were analyzed with survey-weighted estimates. Multivariable regressions were used to identify factors associated with high-cost hospitalizations. <br><br>RESULTS: Over the study period, an estimated 36,283 pediatric patients were admitted for a GSW with 43.1% undergoing an operative intervention during hospitalization. Admissions for pediatric firearm injuries decreased from 3,246 in 2005 to 3,185 in 2017 (NPtrend<0.001). The median inflation-adjusted cost was $12,408 (IQR $6,253-$24,585). Median costs rose significantly from $10,749 in 2005 to $16,157 in 2017 (P <.001). Compared with those who did not undergo surgical interventions, operative patients incurred increased median costs ($18,576 vs $8,942, P<0.001). Assault and self-harm injuries as well as several operations were independently associated with classification in the highest cost tertile. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Admissions for pediatric firearm injuries were associated with a significant socioeconomic burden in the US, with increasing resource use over time. Pediatric gun violence is a major public health crisis that warrants further research and advocacy to reduce its prevalence and social impact.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-3476
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.05.018
ID  - ref1
ER  -