Understanding delays in diagnosing serious conditions in children in emergency departments

Delayed Diagnosis of Serious Pediatric Emergency Conditions

NIH-funded research Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-10691242

This study is looking into why some serious health issues in kids, like appendicitis and sepsis, take longer to diagnose when they go to the emergency room, and it aims to find ways to make sure these conditions are spotted faster to keep young patients safe and healthy.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10691242 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the reasons behind delays in diagnosing serious medical conditions in children who visit emergency departments (EDs). It aims to identify patient and hospital factors that contribute to these delays, focusing on conditions like appendicitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and sepsis. The study will refine a detection algorithm using billing claims data and compare it with manual record reviews to assess the accuracy of diagnoses. By analyzing the incidence and outcomes of delayed diagnoses, the research seeks to improve patient safety and care in pediatric emergency settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children who have visited emergency departments with symptoms of serious conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not visit emergency departments or those with non-serious conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic processes and better health outcomes for children experiencing serious medical conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that delays in diagnosis can significantly impact patient outcomes, suggesting that this investigation could build on established findings.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.