Hospital Readmission Rates and Associated Factors in Pediatric Pneumonia Cases

Background: Pediatric pneumonia remains a leading cause of hospitalization and morbidity among children, particularly in resource-limited settings. Understanding the factors associated with hospital readmission is crucial for improving patient outcomes and optimizing healthcare resources. Material & Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 250 pediatric patients diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to 250 Beded General Hospital, Nilphamari, Bangladesh over a two-year period from January 2022 to December 2023. Patients aged 0-18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of pneumonia were included, while those with chronic lung diseases, immunodeficiencies, or incomplete medical records were excluded. Data were collected from electronic medical records, focusing on patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment details, and readmission status within 30 days post-discharge. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed, along with logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of readmission. Results: The study found that 30% of the patients were aged 2-5 years, with a male predominance of 56%. Asthma was the most common comorbidity, affecting 24% of the cohort, while 60% had no comorbidities. The severity of pneumonia was evenly split between mild and moderate cases (40% each), with severe cases constituting 20%. Treatment modalities were equally divided between oral and IV antibiotics (40% each), with 20% receiving combined therapy. The 30-day readmission rate was 16%, indicating a significant proportion of patients required subsequent hospitalization. Conclusions: The findings highlight key factors influencing hospital readmission rates in pediatric pneumonia, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and improved post-discharge care to reduce readmission rates and associated healthcare burdens.