Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This World Shared Practice Forum reviews the Global PARITY study, a comprehensive research initiative aimed at understanding and addressing pediatric critical illness in resource-constrained settings. The discussion highlights the methodology, challenges, and key findings of the study, emphasizing the high prevalence of critical illnesses such as pneumonia, sepsis, and malaria among children in low socio-demographic index regions. The authors stress the importance of basic critical care interventions and the need for global health equity, advocating for the integration of critical care into health systems worldwide.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the methodology and challenges of conducting the Global Parity Study in resource-constrained settings.
- Identify the most common pediatric critical illnesses and their prevalence in low socio-economic regions.
- Recognize the importance of basic critical care interventions in improving health outcomes for critically ill children.
- Appreciate the role of global health equity and the need for integrating critical care into health systems.
- Explore the potential impact of research findings on policy decisions and resource allocation in healthcare.
AUTHORS
Teresa Kortz, MD, MS, PhD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
University of California, San Francisco
Adrian Holloway, MD
Associate Professor Pediatrics
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH
Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School
DATE
Initial publication date: June 23, 2025.
ARTICLE REFERENCED
Kortz TB, Holloway A, Agulnik A, et al. Prevalence, aetiology, and hospital outcomes of paediatric acute critical illness in resource-constrained settings (Global PARITY): a multicentre, international, point prevalence and prospective cohort study. Lancet Glob Health. 2025;13(2):e212-e221. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00450-9
TRANSCRIPT
cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/as/sf6v5frcmb9j5pt3vrrss67/Kortz__Holloway_PWSP_June_2025_Transcript
Please visit: openpediatrics.org
OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user.
For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu
Please note: OPENPediatrics does not support or control any related videos in the sidebar; these are placed by YouTube. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
CITATION
Kortz TB, Holloway A, Wolbrink TA. Global PARITY Study: Pediatric Critical Illness Insights. 06/2025. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. youtu.be/hCe-3MUYOzc.
This World Shared Practice Forum reviews the Global PARITY study, a comprehensive research initiative aimed at understanding and addressing pediatric critical illness in resource-constrained settings. The discussion highlights the methodology, challenges, and key findings of the study, emphasizing the high prevalence of critical illnesses such as pneumonia, sepsis, and malaria among children in low socio-demographic index regions. The authors stress the importance of basic critical care interventions and the need for global health equity, advocating for the integration of critical care into health systems worldwide.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the methodology and challenges of conducting the Global Parity Study in resource-constrained settings.
- Identify the most common pediatric critical illnesses and their prevalence in low socio-economic regions.
- Recognize the importance of basic critical care interventions in improving health outcomes for critically ill children.
- Appreciate the role of global health equity and the need for integrating critical care into health systems.
- Explore the potential impact of research findings on policy decisions and resource allocation in healthcare.
AUTHORS
Teresa Kortz, MD, MS, PhD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
University of California, San Francisco
Adrian Holloway, MD
Associate Professor Pediatrics
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH
Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School
DATE
Initial publication date: June 23, 2025.
ARTICLE REFERENCED
Kortz TB, Holloway A, Agulnik A, et al. Prevalence, aetiology, and hospital outcomes of paediatric acute critical illness in resource-constrained settings (Global PARITY): a multicentre, international, point prevalence and prospective cohort study. Lancet Glob Health. 2025;13(2):e212-e221. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00450-9
TRANSCRIPT
cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/as/sf6v5frcmb9j5pt3vrrss67/Kortz__Holloway_PWSP_June_2025_Transcript
Please visit: openpediatrics.org
OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user.
For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu
Please note: OPENPediatrics does not support or control any related videos in the sidebar; these are placed by YouTube. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
CITATION
Kortz TB, Holloway A, Wolbrink TA. Global PARITY Study: Pediatric Critical Illness Insights. 06/2025. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. youtu.be/hCe-3MUYOzc.
