Sources of Regional and Center-Level Variability in Survival and Cost of Care for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)

This retrospective PHIS database study reveals significant regional and center-volume disparities in CDH mortality and costs across U.S. hospitals. Higher mortality rates were observed in Mid-West and South regions, particularly for high-severity patients and at low-volume centers using ECLS, while cost patterns varied dramatically by region and patient severity with survivors incurring higher expenses.