Burden of invasive pneumococcal disease, non-invasive all-cause pneumonia, and acute otitis media in hospitalized US children: a retrospective multi-center study from 2015 to 2020.

BACKGROUND

Despite effective pneumococcal vaccines, pneumococcal disease (PD) exerts a substantial burden on children. This study explored the clinical and economic burden of invasive PD (IPD), non-invasive all-cause pneumonia (ACP), and acute otitis media (AOM) in hospitalized children.

METHODS

Data from the BD Insights Research Database of hospitalized children (< 18 years, including infants and children) in the US were analyzed retrospectively. The study cohort included patients with an ICD10 code for IPD, ACP, or AOM and/or a positive culture for S. pneumoniae. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses evaluated the following outcomes: length of stay [LOS], hospital cost per admission, hospital margin per admission [costs - payments], and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

The study included 4575 pediatric patients with IPD (n = 36), ACP (n = 3,329), or AOM (n = 1,210) admitted to 57 US hospitals from October 2015 to February 2020. Approximately half (50.7%) were under 2 years of age. The in-hospital mortality rate was 0.6% (n = 28). The observed median (interquartile range) LOS was 4 (3, 5) days, cost per admission was $4,240 ($2,434, $8,311) US dollars, and hospital margin per admission was -$63 ($2,118, $2,025). LOS and costs were highly variable according to clinical characteristics and hospital variables. Key variables associated with poor outcomes were having a moderate- or high-risk condition (chronic or immunocompromising), intensive care unit admission, and prior 90-day admission.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of PD among hospitalized pediatric patients in the US remains substantial. Our study highlights the burden of PD among young children (< 2 years) and children with underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk for PD. The results support the need for ongoing prevention efforts including vaccination and antimicrobial stewardship programs to reduce the burden of PD in children.