Pediatric Emergency Care and Medicine: Open Access

Predictors of Emergency Department Utilization and Hospitalization for Vaso-Occlusive Pain Crisis in Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Vaso-occlusive pain crisis (VOC) is the most common complication in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease seen in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to identify demographic and disease-related predictors of VOC in pediatric patients with SCD who present to the ED for pain. A retrospective chart review was conducted over a 6 year period. We examined differences in high ED utilization (>3 visits in any year) versus low ED utilization. Using multilevel regression models, we identified the strongest predictors of high ED utilization as older age, HbSS subtype, lower hemoglobin, and history of severe disease.

Author(s):

Christina Marbrey, Justin Davis, Matthew Morris, Erin Jackson and Cynthia Karlson

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