Technology-Dependent Children Living at Home in Korea: A Population-Based Analysis Using NHIS Claims Data

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Medical Technology Impact
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Medical advancements increase survival rates for critically ill children, leading to a rise in technology-dependent children (TDC).
• Understanding the prevalence and healthcare needs of TDC is vital for effective healthcare planning and policy development.
• This study focuses on the prevalence, incidence, and healthcare utilization of TDC in South Korea.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and incidence of technology-dependent children (TDC) in South Korea.
• To analyze the healthcare utilization patterns of TDC, including hospital stays, ICU days, and associated costs.
• To compare healthcare utilization between TDC with and without complex chronic conditions (CCC).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of National Insurance Service claims data from 2018-2019 in South Korea.
• Inclusion criteria: Children aged 0-18 years requiring respiratory or nutritional support at home.
• Estimation of 2-year prevalence, 1-year incidence, and healthcare utilization, with subgroup analysis for CCC status.

Main Results:

• 3,306 TDC identified: 21.5/100,000 for respiratory support, 23.2/100,000 for tube feeding.
• Children with CCC had significantly longer hospital stays (125 vs. 35.8 days) and higher annual costs ($49,870 vs. $10,430).
• Overall 1-year mortality was 17.0%, with increased rates among children with CCC.

Conclusions:

• Technology-dependent children (TDC) represent a small but high-need population requiring substantial healthcare resources.
• Findings underscore the critical need for coordinated, multidisciplinary home-based care for TDC.
• Further research is necessary to inform interventions and policies supporting TDC and their families.