From 2001 to 2022, pediatric ICU admissions in the U.S. increased markedly despite an overall decline in hospital admissions among children.
The proportion of ICU admissions at highest-level pediatric facilities rose substantially until 2019, reflecting increased regionalization before a slight decrease in 2022.
ICU mortality in children decreased over two decades, even as the number and complexity of ICU cases grew.
Healthcare costs associated with pediatric ICU admissions rose sharply between 2019 and 2022, underlining the financial burden of critical pediatric care.
