Risk Factors of Readmission to Hospital for Pneumonia in Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We analyzed the risk factors affecting readmission of children with pneumonia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of pediatric patients admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at the Jeonju Presbyterian Medical Center from January 2007 to August 2016. We classified patients who were readmitted with pneumonia within 30 days of discharge as the readmission group and patients who were admitted with pneumonia for the first time as the first admission group. RESULTS: Among 158 patients, the study (readmission) group included 82 patients and the control (first admission) group included 76 patients. Age, the percentage of segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes, the number of admissions in the last 12 months, the associated diseases (respiratory diseases such as asthma), and the affection of the right upper lung were analyzed as risk factors for readmission. However, based on a regression analysis, only age and associated diseases were found to be significant risk factors. The rate of readmission increased with younger age. When there were associated diseases, the rate of readmission also increased. CONCLUSIONS: Young age and associated diseases were significant risk factors for readmission for patients with pediatric pneumonia. When pediatric patients are admitted with pneumonia, if they are young and/or have associated diseases, a comprehensive approach is needed to reduce the rate of readmission with careful consideration of precise examination, treatment, timing of discharge, and follow-up.