Study Shows Decline in Hospitals Equipped to Care for Children Over Two Decades

A new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights a significant decline in the number of U.S. hospitals equipped to care for children. The research, published in Pediatrics, analyzed national data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database to track pediatric capabilities from 2003 to 2022. Read the full study here: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/doi/10.1542/peds.2025-072434/205750/Pediatric-Capabilities-in-US-Hospitals-2003-2022?autologincheck=redirected

The findings show a dramatic shift over two decades. Hospitals classified as level 1—those offering the broadest range of pediatric services—declined by 38%. At the same time, hospitals with the lowest level of pediatric readiness (level 4) more than doubled, increasing by 137%. Intermediate-level pediatric hospitals also saw steep reductions, with level 2 capabilities dropping 54% and level 3 dropping 48%.

These changes suggest that children may increasingly face limited access to hospitals capable of fully managing pediatric conditions, especially in emergencies or cases involving complex medical needs. With fewer hospitals maintaining dedicated pediatric resources, families may have to travel farther or rely more heavily on regional children’s hospitals.

As pediatric healthcare continues to evolve, the study underscores the importance of strengthening readiness across all hospital types and ensuring that every child—regardless of geography—has access to appropriate, high-quality care.