Racial Inequity in Pediatric Anesthesia.

Abstract

Minority health disparities have received renewed attention in the USA following several highly publicized racial injustices in 2020. Though the focus has been largely on adults, children are not immune to these inequities. By reviewing racial disparities in pediatric perioperative care, we aim to engage the anesthesia community in the fight against systemic racism. Minority children have higher rates of anesthetic and surgical morbidity compared to White children, including respiratory events, length of stay, hospital costs, and even death. These inequities occur across surgical specialties and environments. Racial disparities in the perioperative health and management of children are ubiquitous. Herein, we will summarize recent pediatric health disparity literature, discuss some important contributors to persistent inequities, and propose avenues for anesthesiologists to impact the pursuit of equitable healthcare outcomes.