For Pediatric Patient Population, Vizient Forecasts Growth in Obesity Services, Highlights Risk Factors for Asthma and Examines New RSV Vaccines

IRVING, Texas, Nov. 16, 2023 – In the latest edition of Pediatric Tech Watch, Vizient, Inc. forecasts strong growth in pediatric obesity services, highlights risk factors for children with asthma through the patent pending Vizient Vulnerability Index™ and examines new ways to prevent pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). View the latest Pediatric Tech Watch.

"The unique qualities of the pediatric population require specialized strategies and solutions," said Sarah Herrmann, director, program services, Vizient. "It is imperative that providers are made aware of newly approved pharmaceuticals as they come to market and act on new guidelines as they are published. This edition of Pediatric Tech Watch examines some of the most pressing issues for this vulnerable patient population."

Featured articles include:

New guidelines and medications alter pediatric obesity treatment — The effects of the childhood obesity epidemic continue to increase, impacting healthcare services used across multiple pediatric subspecialties. Sg2, a Vizient company, forecasts more than 420,000 additional outpatient services (22% growth) for pediatric patients diagnosed with obesity by 2033. New clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics will affect the way organizations deliver care as will new pharmaceuticals coming to market.

How big data illuminates social drivers, environmental impacts and pediatric health — Research shows an association between childhood poverty and elevated exposure to a broad range of health-damaging conditions, including those related to environmental pollution. The Vizient Vulnerability Index™ demonstrates that in neighborhoods with the most extreme pollution, the effect of increasing economic vulnerability is multiplied. As both economic vulnerability and environmental hazards increase, so does the risk of pediatric asthma – but even more so when both factors are present.

New strategies for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus in pediatric patients — Each year in the U.S., RSV is associated with up to 80,000 hospitalizations and an average of 200 deaths in children younger than 5 years. For the pediatric population, two new strategies for the prevention of RSV in infants and children have emerged — maternal vaccination and a new monoclonal antibody for infants and children. This article surveys the most recently approved methods for RSV prevention and accompanying recommendations for this at-risk patient group.

View past editions of Pediatric Tech Watch.

About Vizient, Inc.
Vizient, Inc., the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, serves more than 60% of the nation's acute care providers, which includes 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 25% of the non-acute care market. Vizient provides expertise, analytics and advisory services, as well as a contract portfolio that represents more than $130 billion in annual purchasing volume. Vizient's solutions and services improve the delivery of high-value care by aligning cost, quality and market performance. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com.