Objectives: To recognize the national trends in management of pediatric craniopharyngioma and to address the significant predictors of discharge disposition.
Methods: We utilized the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), a pediatric inpatient sample generated by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) triennially from 1997 to 2016.
Results: KID contains 2141 pediatric craniopharyngioma admissions. Patient demographics had no effect on discharge disposition. Based on the multivariable logistic regression analysis, we confirmed a significantly higher non-routine discharge rate among patients with hydrocephalus (P = 0.01). Patients who developed diabetes insipidus were at higher risk for non-routine discharge (P = 0.02). Admission of patients to a freestanding children's hospital increased the likelihood of routine discharge (P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Hydrocephalus, diabetes insipidus, and admission to a freestanding children's hospital are significant independent predictors of discharge disposition.
Keywords: Craniopharyngioma; Diabetes insipidus; Hydrocephalus; KID; Pediatric.