Medical Student University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas, United States
Introduction: In children under 14 and 15-19, brain and CNS tumors are the second and leading types of cancers, respectively. Past studies have found differing rates of cancers among races and those with potential risk factors. This study aims to see if these occurrence differences can be substantiated with further investigation of the latest version (2019) of the Kid Inpatient Database (KID).
Methods: A total of 7,820 pediatric patients < 21 years old in KID with ICD-10 codes consisting of malignant neoplasms of the brain and cerebral meninges (C700, C709-C719) were queried. Modifiable risk factors evaluated: hospital region, insurance type, hospital city size, average income of patient zip code, and location/teaching status of a hospital. Non-modifiable risk factors were race and sex at birth. Dependent variables were tested in RStudio using Yates's chi-squared test and multi-factor analysis of variance.
Results: Mortality rates of females (2.88%) compared to males (2.00%) were significant (p < 0.05). Elective admission for patients was (43.35%) with private insurance compared to (11.11%) with Medicaid (p < 0.05), and elective admission for private insurance compared to (2.56%) with no charge (p < 0.001). Mortality was (4.17%) in Black patients compared to (1.68%) for White (p < 0.001), Hispanic mortality (2.95%) compared to White (p < 0.01), and mortality of Asian/Pacific islander (3.86%) compared to White (p < 0.001). Significant difference between races was also seen with regard to length of stay (p < 0.001) and number of charges (p < 0.001). Significant difference was identified in the average income of a patient’s zip code compared to number of diagnoses (p < 0.001).
Conclusion : The findings indicate further research should be done to investigate the root causes of the significant discrepancies identified. These findings should serve as an impetus for clinicians, healthcare administrators, and governmental leaders to improve national resource allocation to better care for patients with pediatric cerebral neoplasia.
