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.