Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42381525›Full record

ArticleJournal of Korean medical science2026

Technology-Dependent Children Living at Home in Korea: A Population-Based Analysis Using NHIS Claims Data.

Ji Weon Lee, Cho Hee Kim, Nam Gu Lim, Min Sun Kim, Sun Young Lee

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of Korean medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ji Weon Lee *Integrated and Respite Care Center for Children, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4012-0843
Cho Hee Kim *College of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9388-2126
Nam Gu LimDepartment of Healthcare Administration, Daejeon Health University, Daejeon, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9351-6422
Min Sun KimDepartment of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. mskim81@snu.ac.kr.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5323-9857
Sun Young LeePublic Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1626-2721

Funding

Ministry of Health and Welfare RS-2021-KH120239
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdvances in medical technology have improved the survival of critically ill children, resulting in a growing population of technology-dependent children (TDC). Given their substantial healthcare needs and often complex care, understanding the prevalence and healthcare utilization of TDC is crucial for informed decision-making for healthcare professionals and policymakers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, incidence, and healthcare utilization of TDC in Republic of Korea (South Korea).

methodsThis retrospective, population-level study analyzed the National Insurance Service claims data in Korea from 2018 to 2019. Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years living at home with technology dependence for respiratory (invasive/non-invasive ventilation, tracheostomy, or oxygen therapy) or nutritional support (nasoenteric or gastrostomy tube feeding) were included. We estimated 2-year prevalence, 1-year incidence, and healthcare utilization, including subgroup comparisons by complex chronic condition (CCC) status.

resultsIn total, 3,306 children were identified as TDC: 1,889 required respiratory support (21.5 per 100,000), and 2,036 required tube feeding (23.2 per 100,000). The mean age was 4.4 ± 5.4 years for respiratory-dependent and 6.2 ± 5.8 years for nutritional-dependent children. Most of the children had ≥ 1 CCC. Compared with non-CCC counterparts, children with CCC had longer hospital stays (125 vs. 35.8 days), more intensive care unit days (74.6 vs. 35.8), and higher annual healthcare costs per patient ($49,870 vs. $10,430). The overall 1-year mortality was 17.0%, with higher rates among patients with CCC.

conclusionTDC represent a relatively small but medically complex population with high healthcare needs and utilization. These findings highlight the importance of coordinated and multidisciplinary home-based care. Further studies are warranted to guide interventions and policies that support improved outcomes for TDC and their families.

Indexed as

Biomedical TechnologyHome Care Services, Hospital-BasedAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansIncidenceInfantInfant, NewbornMalePatient Acceptance of Health CarePrevalenceRepublic of KoreaRespiration, ArtificialRetrospective StudiesComplex Chronic ConditionsHealthcare UtilizationHome VentilatorRespiratory SupportTechnology-Dependent ChildrenTube Feeding

Identifiers

PMID42381525
PMCPMC13320473

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.