Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Predictors of hospital charges for children admitted with asthma

Ruchi S Gupta1, Meenakshi Bewtra, Lisa A Prosser

  • 1Harvard Pediatric Health Services Research Fellowship, Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA. r-gupta@northwestern.edu

Ambulatory Pediatrics : the Official Journal of the Ambulatory Pediatric Association
|January 31, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hospital charges for pediatric asthma admissions vary significantly by race and hospital type. Children's hospitals and minority racial groups, particularly Hispanic children, incurred higher asthma care costs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric healthcare economics
  • Health services research
  • Asthma epidemiology

Background:

  • Asthma is a common pediatric respiratory illness requiring hospitalization.
  • Understanding cost variations in pediatric asthma care is crucial for healthcare management.
  • Previous research has not fully elucidated the impact of patient and hospital characteristics on asthma-related charges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate patient and hospital factors influencing hospital charges for pediatric asthma admissions.
  • To identify disparities in healthcare costs associated with asthma care for children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study utilizing the 2000 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID).
  • Analysis included 54,029 children (1-18 years) hospitalized with asthma.
  • Key predictors examined were hospital type (teaching vs. nonteaching, children's vs. nonchildren's) and patient characteristics (insurance, race).

Main Results:

  • Children's hospitals charged 10% more ($440) than nonchildren's hospitals.
  • Medicaid patients incurred 3% higher charges ($132) than privately insured patients.
  • Racial disparities in charges were observed: Black (10% higher), Hispanic (21% higher), and Asian (13% higher) children faced greater costs compared to White children.

Conclusions:

  • Significant variations in hospital charges for pediatric asthma exist based on patient demographics and hospital type.
  • Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Hispanic children, and those treated at children's hospitals face higher asthma care costs.
  • Further investigation into the drivers of these cost differences is needed to promote equitable asthma care pricing.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include: