Implications for the future
This review demonstrates that inequalities in children with respiratory diseases at the PICU exist and may have a considerable effect on their morbidity and even mortality when admitted. To our knowledge, this is the first review addressing these inequalities in this specific patient group. In the future, it is important that health care professionals are aware of these disparities when treating patients from certain groups; however, it is impossible to overcome these effects as a doctor. It stresses the importance for governmental instances to address these disparities and work towards equal opportunities for all. More research is needed to truly evaluate the effect of socioeconomic, ethnic and environmental effects on the PICU outcome of children with respiratory diseases, and to find out the explanations for these possible associations.