Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review

Abstract Background Home environments improve quality of life and reduce infections for children on long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy (LTMV-T). However, unexpected hospital readmissions and death remain significant concerns. Existing systematic reviews have not fully examined risk fa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lindsey Scheller, Karley Mariano, Sandra Staveski, Sandra Weiss, Abbey Alkon, Christopher J. Russell, Leia Casey, Yoshimi Fukuoka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Pulmonary Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03818-3
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849334098395398144
author Lindsey Scheller
Karley Mariano
Sandra Staveski
Sandra Weiss
Abbey Alkon
Christopher J. Russell
Leia Casey
Yoshimi Fukuoka
author_facet Lindsey Scheller
Karley Mariano
Sandra Staveski
Sandra Weiss
Abbey Alkon
Christopher J. Russell
Leia Casey
Yoshimi Fukuoka
author_sort Lindsey Scheller
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Home environments improve quality of life and reduce infections for children on long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy (LTMV-T). However, unexpected hospital readmissions and death remain significant concerns. Existing systematic reviews have not fully examined risk factors for readmission and mortality. This review examines modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with readmission and mortality in infants, children, and adolescents on LTMV-T. Methods Five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, and Epistemonikos) were searched from inception to 2024. All quantitative study designs examining risk factors associated with readmission and/or mortality in children less than 21 years of age on LTMV-T were included. Articles were limited to peer-reviewed journals and the English language. Covidence software was used for data management, study screening, and data extraction. Each abstract was reviewed by two independent reviewers and discrepancies were resolved by a third. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used to assess risk of bias in individual studies. Results Twenty-six studies examined cohorts of children on LTMV-T from 1980 to 2023. Studies were primarily retrospective cohorts, with sample sizes ranging from 27 to 8,009 children. Most studies reported that at least 50% of readmissions occurred within the first two years post-discharge and respiratory-related issues accounted for 30–75% of readmissions. Mortality within the first-year post-discharge varied as low as 0% to as high as 16%. Few studies examined socioenvironmental risk factors or those specific to LTMV-T populations, conducting analyses primarily on tracheostomy-only and/or LTMV-T cohorts. Risk factors for readmission and mortality included age, lower income, discharge disposition, chronic conditions, lack of respiratory physiotherapy (cough assist, percussions), gastrostomy tube, and lower birth weight. Risk of bias ranged from low to moderate due to unclear outcome measures and analyses that did not address potential confounders. Conclusions Readmissions are common occurrences among children on LTMV-T with considerable risk of mortality, especially within the first two-years post-discharge. Risk factors identified were predominately clinical and demographic characteristics that can inform risk assessments and targeted interventions. Future studies should further explore socioenvironmental factors such as social determinants of health among LTMV-T specific populations. Trial registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID: CRD42024492773.
format Article
id doaj-art-6303a89427664e2d995e6eec07897b8d
institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2466
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Pulmonary Medicine
spelling doaj-art-6303a89427664e2d995e6eec07897b8d2025-08-20T03:45:40ZengBMCBMC Pulmonary Medicine1471-24662025-08-0125111810.1186/s12890-025-03818-3Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic reviewLindsey Scheller0Karley Mariano1Sandra Staveski2Sandra Weiss3Abbey Alkon4Christopher J. Russell5Leia Casey6Yoshimi Fukuoka7School of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoSchool of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoSchool of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoSchool of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoSchool of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoStanford UniversitySchool of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoSchool of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoAbstract Background Home environments improve quality of life and reduce infections for children on long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy (LTMV-T). However, unexpected hospital readmissions and death remain significant concerns. Existing systematic reviews have not fully examined risk factors for readmission and mortality. This review examines modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with readmission and mortality in infants, children, and adolescents on LTMV-T. Methods Five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, and Epistemonikos) were searched from inception to 2024. All quantitative study designs examining risk factors associated with readmission and/or mortality in children less than 21 years of age on LTMV-T were included. Articles were limited to peer-reviewed journals and the English language. Covidence software was used for data management, study screening, and data extraction. Each abstract was reviewed by two independent reviewers and discrepancies were resolved by a third. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used to assess risk of bias in individual studies. Results Twenty-six studies examined cohorts of children on LTMV-T from 1980 to 2023. Studies were primarily retrospective cohorts, with sample sizes ranging from 27 to 8,009 children. Most studies reported that at least 50% of readmissions occurred within the first two years post-discharge and respiratory-related issues accounted for 30–75% of readmissions. Mortality within the first-year post-discharge varied as low as 0% to as high as 16%. Few studies examined socioenvironmental risk factors or those specific to LTMV-T populations, conducting analyses primarily on tracheostomy-only and/or LTMV-T cohorts. Risk factors for readmission and mortality included age, lower income, discharge disposition, chronic conditions, lack of respiratory physiotherapy (cough assist, percussions), gastrostomy tube, and lower birth weight. Risk of bias ranged from low to moderate due to unclear outcome measures and analyses that did not address potential confounders. Conclusions Readmissions are common occurrences among children on LTMV-T with considerable risk of mortality, especially within the first two-years post-discharge. Risk factors identified were predominately clinical and demographic characteristics that can inform risk assessments and targeted interventions. Future studies should further explore socioenvironmental factors such as social determinants of health among LTMV-T specific populations. Trial registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID: CRD42024492773.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03818-3TracheostomyLong-term mechanical ventilationChildrenReadmissionHospitalizationMortality
spellingShingle Lindsey Scheller
Karley Mariano
Sandra Staveski
Sandra Weiss
Abbey Alkon
Christopher J. Russell
Leia Casey
Yoshimi Fukuoka
Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review
BMC Pulmonary Medicine
Tracheostomy
Long-term mechanical ventilation
Children
Readmission
Hospitalization
Mortality
title Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review
title_full Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review
title_fullStr Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review
title_short Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review
title_sort readmission and mortality among children requiring long term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy a systematic review
topic Tracheostomy
Long-term mechanical ventilation
Children
Readmission
Hospitalization
Mortality
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03818-3
work_keys_str_mv AT lindseyscheller readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview
AT karleymariano readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview
AT sandrastaveski readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview
AT sandraweiss readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview
AT abbeyalkon readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview
AT christopherjrussell readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview
AT leiacasey readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview
AT yoshimifukuoka readmissionandmortalityamongchildrenrequiringlongtermmechanicalventilationviatracheostomyasystematicreview