title: [Influence of postcode on paediatric admissions in Seville].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The postcode (where the home is situated) is an indicator of socioeconomic status and is associated with morbidity, mortality, and the use of health services. The aim of this study was to analyse its effects on paediatric admissions and to determine the rates of the most common causes of paediatric admissions in Seville.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational cross-sectional study with two analysis units: under 15 year-old "admissions" in public hospitals in Seville (n=2,660) and "city districts" of Seville (n=11). The independent variable analysed was whether the postcode of the admitted patients was within a Regional Government designated "area with social transformation needs". The analysis of the admissions was performed using X2-test, Fisher test and Student-t test, with the description of rates using the calculation of crude and specific rates, and by rate ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children living in districts with a lower socioeconomic status were on average 7 months younger (P<.001), and they were significantly more likely to be admitted via the emergency department (P<.001). There was no statistical difference detected in either the length of hospital stay or mortality. The crude admission rate ratio was higher in districts with a lower socioeconomic status (1.8), with a higher specific rate ratio detected in admissions due to asthma, respiratory infections, inguinal hernia, and epilepsy/convulsions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paediatric hospital admission rates of the main diagnoses were higher in districts with a lower socioeconomic status. Children living in these districts were more likely to be admitted younger and via the emergency department.
authors.affiliation: Pediatría Atención Primaria, Distrito Sevilla de Atención Primaria, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Sevilla, España. Electronic address: sebastornero@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tornero Patricio
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Sevilla, España.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charris-Castro
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Neonatología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Sevilla, España.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Granero Asencio
authors.affiliation: Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Observatorio de Salud y Medio Ambiente de Andalucía (OSMAN), Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, Campus Universitario de la Cartuja, Granada, España.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daponte Codina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D014504:Urban Health
keywords: Desigualdades en salud; Determinantes sociales de la salud; Estancia hospitalaria; Factores socioeconómicos; Health resources; Healthcare disparities; Hospital mortality; Hospitalised child; Ingresos pediátricos; Length of stay; Mortalidad hospitalaria; Poverty areas; Recursos sanitarios; Social determinants of health; Socioeconomic factors; Áreas de pobreza