Child Opportunity Index is Not Associated With Cleanliness in Patients With Anorectal Malformations Treated at Pediatric Colorectal Centers: A Multi-Institutional Study

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Individually collected social determinants of health (SDOH) have been associated with negative outcomes in children with anorectal malformations (ARMs). Our aim was to assess whether the Child Opportunity Index (COI) is associated with bowel management strategy and fecal cleanliness in patients with ARM managed at specialized pediatric colorectal centers. We hypothesized that children from low COI would have lower rates of cleanliness.

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Article · Jan 2025 · 1 min read

In brief

This multi-institutional study examined whether socioeconomic factors measured by the Child Opportunity Index predict bowel management outcomes in children with anorectal malformations treated at specialized centers. Contrary to the hypothesis, COI was not associated with fecal cleanliness rates, suggesting specialized care may mitigate socioeconomic disparities in this population.

Child Opportunity Index (COI) was NOT associated with fecal cleanliness outcomes in ARM patients at specialized centers.
Specialized pediatric colorectal centers may mitigate socioeconomic disparities in ARM bowel management outcomes.
Individual SDOH factors remain important, but composite indices like COI may not predict cleanliness in this population.
Access to expert colorectal care appears to equalize outcomes across different opportunity levels for ARM patients.

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