Caregiver Inpatient Food Insecurity Increases Pediatric Hospital Readmission Risk By 77%

Hospitalized children in households experiencing inpatient food insecurity (IFI) while the child is hospitalized are 77% more likely to be readmitted than other children. IFI is a temporary condition defined as food insecurity experienced by caregivers during their child’s hospitalization, and can occur in households with or without household food insecurity (HFI). Children with a caregiver experiencing IFI also had longer lengths of stay.

Caregivers experiencing IFI experience may eat less than usual, feel hungry but not eat, or may skip meals due to lack of money during the child’s hospitalization. HFI is defined over the past 12 . . .