Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated With Antibiotic Therapy in Children Hospitalized With Asthma Exacerbation.

Objective: Despite lack of benefit, antibiotics are overused in management of asthma exacerbation in children. In this study, data from a single children's hospital were analyzed to identify factors and outcomes associated with antibiotic use in children hospitalized with asthma.

Methods: The study population was identified by using administrative data from 2012 to 2015, with subsequent verification of asthma.

The clinical value of procalcitonin cut-off levels for pediatric patients in the hospital setting.

Background: Utilization of procalcitonin (PCT) is challenging for hospital pediatricians because of uncertainty in clinical interpretation. We used a PCT decision cut-off value (<0.15 ng/mL) to identify if PCT can differentiate bacterial infections from viral and other conditions in pediatric patients who presented for hospital-based care.

Combined Effect of Race/Ethnicity and Type of Insurance on Reuse of Urgent Hospital-Based Services in Children Discharged with Asthma.

Asthma is a leading cause of health disparity in children. This study explores the joint effect of race/ethnicity and insurance type on risk for reuse of urgent services within a year of hospitalization. Data were collected from 604 children hospitalized with asthma between 2012 and 2015 and stratified with respect to combination of patients' insurance status (public vs.