SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Pediatric Hospital Utilization for Young Adults With Childhood-Onset Conditions

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This cross-sectional study examined whether young adults ages 22–35 with chronic childhood conditions continue to use pediatric hospitals during the transition to adult care, focusing on cystic fibrosis (CF), congenital heart disease (CHD), and sickle cell disease (SCD). Using 2016–2020 National Inpatient Sample data, the authors identified admissions for these conditions and defined pediatric hospitals as facilities where at least 89% of discharges were for patients under 18.<br /><br />The study included 415,130 total admissions, of which 4,785 occurred in pediatric hospitals. The authors analyzed differences in pediatric hospital use by condition and sociodemographic factors such as race/ethnicity, insurance, rural residence, and neighborhood income.<br /><br />Key findings showed substantial disparities. Young adults with SCD were 80% less likely to be admitted to a pediatric hospital than those with CF. Within conditions, Black young adults with CHD and CF were both 45% less likely than white young adults with the same conditions to have a pediatric hospital admission. These patterns suggest that pediatric hospital use during transition to adult healthcare is not uniform and may be shaped by race and disease-specific factors.<br /><br />The authors note that CF, CHD, and SCD are often expected to have similar healthcare utilization patterns, but the observed differences may reflect systemic racial bias and disease stigma in transition programs. The findings support the need for stronger, more structured healthcare systems to promote equitable transition from pediatric to adult care across conditions.<br /><br />Funding was provided by the Academic Pediatric Association Young Investigator Award and the Society of General Internal Medicine Founder's Award.

Asset Subtitle

Ashley Jenkins

Meta Tag

Author List Ashley Jenkins, Katherine A. Auger, Sophie Lanzkron, Yingying Xu

Category Research

Concept Pediatric-to-Adult Transition

Concept Pediatric Hospital Use

Concept Cystic Fibrosis

Concept Congenital Heart Disease

Concept Sickle Cell Disease

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Presenting Author Ashley Jenkins

Track Pediatric

Keywords

pediatric hospitals

transition to adult care

cystic fibrosis

congenital heart disease

sickle cell disease

young adults

healthcare disparities

racial bias

National Inpatient Sample

cross-sectional study

Pediatric-to-Adult Transition

Pediatric Hospital Use

Cystic Fibrosis

Congenital Heart Disease

Sickle Cell Disease