Predictors for place of death among children:A systematic review and meta-analyses of recent literature

Through a systematic review and meta-analyses, we aimed to determine predictors for place of death among children. We searched online databases for studies published between 2008 and 2019 comprising original quantitative data on predictors for place of death among children. Data regarding study design, population characteristics and results were extracted from each study. Meta-analyses were conducted using generic inverse variance method with random effects. Fourteen cohort studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising data on 106,788 decedents. Proportions of home death varied between countries and regions from 7% to 45%. Lower age was associated with higher odds of hospital death in eight studies (meta-analysis was not possible). Children categorised as non-white were less likely to die at home compared to white (pooled OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.5–0.7) as were children of low socio-economic position versus high (pooled OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.6–0.9). Compared to patients with cancer, children with non-cancer diagnoses had lower odds of home death (pooled OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.5–0.5).

Conclusion: Country and region of residence, older age of the child, high socio-economic position, ‘white’ ethnicity and cancer diagnoses appear to be independent predictors of home death among children.