RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS FOR HOSPITAL READMISSIONS IN PEDIATRIC ASTHMA PATIENTS

Pediatric asthma constitutes a leading chronic condition contributing to substantial morbidity and healthcare burden globally, especially in developing nations. Hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge serve as a critical metric for evaluating healthcare quality and identifying gaps in asthma management. Aims & Objectives: This study aimed to retrospectively investigate key demographic, clinical, and treatment-related risk factors associated with unplanned 30-day hospital readmissions among pediatric asthma patients in a tertiary care setting in Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using medical records from The Children’s Hospital Lahore between July 2023 and December 2024. The study population included 1,012 pediatric patients aged 2–17 years admitted with a primary diagnosis of asthma. Cases with incomplete records or coexisting chronic pulmonary conditions were excluded. Demographic (age, sex, socioeconomic status), clinical (asthma severity, comorbidities, prior admissions), and therapeutic variables were extracted. Data with missing values were managed using Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE). Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between categorical variables and 30-day readmission status, while independent t-tests were applied to continuous variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results & Findings: Among 1,012 patients, 138 (13.6%) were readmitted within 30 days. Significant associations were found between readmission and younger age (p = 0.021), male gender (p = 0.043), severe persistent asthma (p < 0.001), comorbid allergic rhinitis or eczema (p = 0.018), and history of prior hospitalization (p = 0.003). Initial length of stay was not significantly associated with readmission (p = 0.117). Inadequate post-discharge follow-up and documented non-adherence to medication were notable but not consistently quantifiable from records. Conclusion: The findings reveal a multifactorial basis for early readmission in pediatric asthma, with clinical severity and comorbid atopy as primary predictors. Strengthening discharge planning, improving medication adherence, and prioritizing structured follow-up for high-risk children are essential to reduce readmission rates and optimize long-term outcomes in low-resource environments.