Regional variations in morbidity and mortality among neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage: a national database analysis.

Background: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) often affects newborns of low gestational age and low birth weight, requires critical care for neonates, and is linked to long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Assessing regional differences in the U.S. in care for neonatal IVH and subsequent outcomes can shed light on ways to mitigate socioeconomic disparities.

Methods: Using the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), patients with a primary diagnosis of IVH were identified using ICD-10-CM codes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with patients stratified by hospital region. Demographics, comorbidities, presentation, intraoperative variables, and inpatient outcomes were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the impact of insurance status on extended LOS (defined as > 75^th percentile of LOS), exorbitant cost (defined as > 75^th percentile of cost), and mortality.

Results: Included in this study were 1630 newborns with IVH. A larger portion of patients in the South and Midwest were Black, compared to the Northeast and West (Northeast: 12.2% vs Midwest: 30.2% vs South: 22.8% vs West: 5.8%, p < 0.001), while a greater percentage of patients in the West and South were Hispanic (Northeast: 7.3% vs Midwest: 9.5% vs South: 22.8% vs West: 36.2%, p < 0.001). LOS was similar among all regions. Factors associated with prolonged LOS included hydrocephalus and CSF diversions. Median total cost of admission was highest in the West, while the South was associated with decreased odds of exorbitant cost. LOS was associated with exorbitant cost, and large bed-volume hospital, VLBW, and permanent CSF shunt were associated with mortality.

Conclusions: Demographic variables, but not presenting or intraoperative variables, differed among regions, pointing to possible geographic health disparities. The West had the highest total cost of admission, while the South was associated with reduced odds of exorbitant admission costs.