Purpose. We sought to establish whether nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) are predictive of disposition, morbidity, and mortality for pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods. A single-center retrospective cohort study examining all ED encounters from patients aged younger than 19 years between January 2016 and March 2020, during which a complete blood count was obtained. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to test the presence of NRBCs as an independent predictor of patient-related outcomes. Results. The prevalence of NRBCs was 8.9% (4195/46,991 patient encounters). Patient with NRBCs were younger (median age 4.58 vs 8.23 years; P < 0.001). Those with NRBCs had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (30/2465 [1.22%] vs 65/21,741 [0.30%]; P < 0.001), sepsis (19% vs 12%; P < 0.001), shock (7% vs 4%; P < 0.001), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (0.62% vs 0.09%; P < 0.001). They were more likely to be admitted (59% vs 51%; P < 0.001), have longer median hospital length of stay {1.3 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.22–4.14) vs 0.8 days (IQR, 0.23–2.64); P < 0.001}, and median intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (3.9 [IQR, 1.87–8.72] vs 2.6 days [IQR, 1.27–5.83]; P < 0.001). Multivariable regression revealed presence of NRBCs as an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38–3.53; P < 0.001), ICU admission (aOR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.11–1.51; P < 0.001), CPR (aOR, 3.83; 95% CI, 2.33–6.30; P < 0.001), and 30-day return to the ED (aOR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.15–1.26; P < 0.001). Conclusions. The presence of NRBCs is an independent predictor for mortality, including in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, CPR, and readmission within 30 days for children presenting to the ED.
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Gearhart, AddisonEsteso, PaulSperotto, FrancescaElia, EleniMichelson, Kenneth A.Lipsitz, StuSun MingweiKnoll, ChristopherVanderpluym, Christina
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
Year of publication: 2023Date of RADAR deposit: 2023-03-27
"This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Pediatric Emergency Care."