Pediatric obesity and safety in inpatient settings: a systematic literature review.
This systematic review sought to determine how obesity affects the risk of adverse events in hospitalized children. Investigators found evidence that pediatric patients with obesity experienced more adverse events in inpatient settings than those who are not obese. Elevated risks of medication errors, venous thromboembolism, surgical complications, and airway management were found in hospitalized children with obesity. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that increased hospital awareness and new safety strategies are needed to enhance safety for obese pediatric patients. A previous AHRQ WebM&M commentary describes unrecognized symptoms in an adolescent patient with obesity.