LAUSR

Key Points Question Is increasing socioeconomic status (SES) associated with lower pediatric postoperative mortality and, if so, is this association equitable among Black and White children? Findings In this cohort study of 1 378 111 children who underwent inpatient operations in the US, increasing SES was associated with lower postoperative mortality. However, postoperative mortality rates were significantly higher among Black vs White children in the highest income quartile, and postoperative mortality rates among Black children in the highest income quartile were comparable to those of White children in the lowest income quartile. Meaning In this study, substantial racial disparities in postoperative mortality across income quartiles suggest that increasing SES did not provide equitable advantage to Black children compared with White children.