Socioeconomic Factors in Pediatric Neck Abscesses

Abstract

Objective: Socioeconomic status has been associated with increased risk of developing some infectious diseases. Our objective was to study the relationship of socioeconomic status in children with neck abscesses to see if potentially a similar relationship exists.

Method: We studied a population of children with neck abscesses at a tertiary care pediatric hospital in Dallas, Texas. The patients’ demographic, clinical, and economic data were analyzed to see if socioeconomic status was different when compared to Texas and US averages. Controls for population and hospital averages were instituted.

Results: 200 children with cervical neck abscesses were analyzed. The median household income of the cohort was calculated to be less than US and Texas averages based on US census data. Forty-eight percent were enrolled in Medicaid at the time of presentation. Twenty-one percent were uninsured or self-payers. These proportions were higher when compared with the United States and the state of Texas, although in line with the hospital’s payer mix. The rate of pre-admission antibiotic usage and duration of illness before seeking treatment did not vary significantly among the patients studied.

Conclusion: Children with neck abscesses in this cohort tended to live in areas with lower household incomes. The payer mix was different when compared with the US and Texas but not the study hospital. Insurance status did differ in initial medical care choice (PCP vs ER) but not overall outcomes.