Hospital Readmission After Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis of 30‐Day Readmission

ABSTRACT

Hospital readmission is common after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but estimates vary, and associated factors are poorly characterized. We systematically reviewed unplanned readmission after autologous or allogeneic HSCT in pediatric populations and pooled the proportion readmitted within 30 days after discharge from the index HSCT admission. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched for English‐language reports published from January 1, 2005, through May 23, 2026. Nineteen reports (nine full‐text articles and 10 conference abstracts) were included. Three retrospective single‐center cohorts contributed to the primary meta‐analysis; 210 of 734 patients were readmitted. The pooled 30‐day readmission proportion was 31.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.6%–42.4%; I ² = 84.7%). Adding one study of 90‐day readmission from transplantation yielded a similar numerical estimate (31.9%; 95% CI: 25.1%–39.4%; I ² = 78.8%), although the outcome was not equivalent. Fever and infection were the most frequent reasons for readmission. Only one study provided adjusted analyses, and most association results were at high risk of bias. Approximately one in three children was readmitted within 30 days after discharge, but the small, heterogeneous evidence base precludes use of this estimate as a universal quality benchmark.