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Published on: January 7, 2018
Health disparities in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Alexander Feliz1, Janette L Holub2, Nima Azarakhsh2
1Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
Insights
Infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) who are African-American or lack insurance face greater risks of metabolic issues and longer hospital stays, indicating health disparities in HPS care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Health Disparities Research
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is a common surgical condition in infants.
- Existing research suggests potential health disparities in HPS diagnosis and treatment.
- This study aims to explore these disparities and their impact on infant outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate health disparities in infants diagnosed with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS).
- To identify socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing HPS treatment.
- To assess the association between these factors and infant morbidity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 584 infants with HPS over six years.
- Statistical evaluation using ANOVA and general linear models.
- Assessment of socioeconomic factors, race, insurance status, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- African-American infants exhibited distinct electrolyte abnormalities (lower chloride, higher bicarbonate and sodium) compared to white infants.
- Uninsured infants showed similar electrolyte imbalances and a delayed time to operation.
- These disparities were significantly associated with prolonged hospitalizations and metabolic derangements.
Conclusions:
- Health disparities exist for African-American and uninsured infants with HPS.
- These infants are at higher risk for metabolic derangements, requiring extended correction of dehydration and electrolytes.
- Socioeconomic factors significantly impact HPS management and contribute to increased hospital stay duration.
Background:
This study investigates whether health disparities exist in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), to identify factors affecting definitive treatment, and if more morbidity occurs.
Methods:
A 6-year retrospective analysis was performed on infants with HPS. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic factors on disease severity and hospitalization. General linear models were used to assess the impact of risk factors on the outcomes.
Results:
There were a total of 584 infants. African-American's had lower serum chloride (P < .001), higher bicarbonate (P = .001), and sodium levels (P = .006), adding to longer hospitalization than whites (P = .03). Uninsured infants had lower sodium and chloride (P < .001) and higher bicarbonate (P < .001), resulting in a longer time to operation (P = .05) than privately insured infants. In multivariable analyses, African-American's were associated with chloride (P = .002) and higher bicarbonate (P = .009), and uninsured status remained significantly associated with all electrolyte abnormalities.
Conclusions:
African-American and poorly insured infants with HPS had greater risk of metabolic derangements. This required more time to correct dehydration and electrolytes, adding to longer hospitalizations.
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