LAUSR

Key Points Question Is a pediatric patient’s socioeconomic status associated with the admitting hospital’s efficiency and financial balance? Findings In this cohort study of 4 121 187 pediatric admissions in France, the socioeconomic status of the child was statistically significantly associated with increased length of stay and cost. A disadvantaged case mix was also statistically significantly associated with the financial balance of the hospital. Meaning These findings suggest that reform of hospital funding to better consider patients’ socioeconomic status and the specificities of pediatric care should be encouraged in France and similar countries that rely on a reimbursement system based on diagnosis related groups.