title: Existing data analysis in pediatric critical care research.
abstract: Our objectives were to review and categorize the existing data sources that are important to pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) investigators and the types of questions that have been or could be studied with each data source. We conducted a narrative review of the medical literature, categorized the data sources available to PCCM investigators, and created an online data source registry. We found that many data sources are available for research in PCCM. To date, PCCM investigators have most often relied on pediatric critical care registries and treatment- or disease-specific registries. The available data sources vary widely in the level of clinical detail and the types of questions they can reliably answer. Linkage of data sources can expand the types of questions that a data source can be used to study. Careful matching of the scientific question to the best available data source or linked data sources is necessary. In addition, rigorous application of the best available analysis techniques and reporting consistent with observational research standards will maximize the quality of research using existing data in PCCM.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora, CO , USA.
authors.forename: Tellen D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Medicine, Children's National Medical Center , Washington, DC , USA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Spaeder
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, United States Air Force , San Antonio, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Renée I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: CRISMA Center and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh, PA , USA.
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care, University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson, AZ , USA.
authors.forename: Katri V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Typpo
authors.affiliation: Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine , Los Angeles, CA , USA.
authors.forename: Robinder G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Khemani
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, MN , USA.
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, IN , USA.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Benneyworth
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, MA , USA.
authors.forename: Ravi R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Thiagarajan
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah School of Medicine , Salt Lake City, UT , USA.
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine , Los Angeles, CA , USA.
authors.forename: Barry P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Markovitz
keywords: epidemiology; health services; intensive care; outcomes research; pediatrics