Disparities in ethnicity
The association between ethnicity and outcomes in children has been
previously described in the literature, with conflicting outcomes.
Although few studies demonstrate no correlation between race or
ethnicity and outcomes at the PICU15,41, the majority
shows the opposite. In addition, previous studies conducted in the
United States and United Kingdom have also shown a higher risk of
mortality in critically ill pediatric patients from several ethnic
groups (especially Asian) admitted to the PICU36,42.
In this review three studies were described on the association between
race or ethnicity and pediatric outcomes in childhood respiratory
diseases. It was found that African American children with asthma were
significant more likely to be admitted and
intubated35,37, Asian/ Asian British children with an
influenza infection had a higher chance of
mortality36, and South Asian babies with a respiratory
failure had a significantly higher rate of
mortality28. These conflicting results may be
explained by the fact that the minorities were underrepresented, and the
data entry of ethnicity was not always complete15,41.