Hailey Tran
Children's hospitals are medical facilities that cater exclusively to children and adolescents, typically serving patients from birth up to the age of 18 to 21. These hospitals are designed to address the unique physical and cognitive needs of younger patients and provide specialized care that may not be available in adult hospitals. As of June 2024, there were more than 270 active children's hospitals across the United States, with the number continuing to grow. This proliferation of pediatric hospitals reflects the increasing recognition of the importance of providing tailored healthcare for younger patients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pediatric hospitals in the US | More than 270 as of June 2024 |
| Age group served | Newborns to young adults (typically up to 18-21 years old) |
| Services | Medical professionals trained to address children's unique physical and cognitive needs; psychosocial support for children and their families; play and teaching staff; local partnerships for extracurricular activities; neonatal intensive care units (NICUs); surgical specialties; cancer care; organ transplantations |
| National associations | Children's Hospital Association |
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What You'll Learn
There are over 270 children's hospitals in the US
Children's hospitals are designed to provide optimal care to infants, children, and adolescents in an environment where parents are admitted, and the special needs of children are met. There are more than 270 children's hospitals in the US as of June 2024, with the number proliferating in the 20th century. These hospitals are characterised by greater attention to the psychosocial support of children and their families. They also have the benefit of being staffed by professionals with specialised knowledge of paediatric medicine.
Children's hospitals are unique in that they offer their services exclusively to children and adolescents, typically up to the age of 18 to 21. They have healthcare professionals trained to be mindful of a child's physical and cognitive differences from adult patients. These hospitals often serve as regional centres for research and preventative care, and they perform 97% of all organ transplants and 90% of all paediatric cancer care in the US.
The Children's Hospital Association (CHA) is the national voice of more than 200 children's hospitals in the US. It advances child health through innovation in the quality, cost, and delivery of care in children's hospitals and health systems. The CHA helps children's hospitals better serve children and families, fostering vital relationships with peers, improving patient outcomes, and supporting continued growth.
The top three children's hospitals in the US, ranked by net patient revenue (NPR), are Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, with an NPR of over $2.8 billion; the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, with an NPR of nearly $2.7 billion; and the Cincinnati Children's Burnet Campus in Ohio, with an NPR of $2.5 billion. These hospitals provide a wide range of resources and services to support patients and their families, both during their stay and after they return home.
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Texas Children's Hospital is the top-ranked hospital
The number of children's hospitals in the US proliferated in the 20th century, as pediatric medical and surgical specialties separated from internal medicine and adult surgical specialties. Today, there are over 200 children's hospitals in the country.
Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX, is one of the top-ranked hospitals in the US. It is nationally ranked in 11 pediatric specialties and is a children's general medical and surgical facility. It is also a teaching hospital. The hospital's researchers are pioneers in fields such as gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and precision medicine, working tirelessly to develop new and effective treatments for complex childhood diseases. Texas Children's has served as one of the world's best, largest, and most comprehensive specialty pediatric hospitals, serving 4.3 million annual patients from all 50 states and nearly 60 countries in over 90 locations.
Texas Children's Hospital has consistently ranked highly in US News' annual Best Children's Hospitals rankings. In 2024-2025, the hospital was named to the Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll, ranking among the top 50 out of 287 hospitals. The hospital also ranked among the top 50 in nine other specialties.
US News evaluates hospitals based on key clinical data from over 100 medical centers, including measures such as patient safety, infection prevention, and adequacy of nurse staffing. Hospitals awarded a "Best" designation excel at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.
Texas Children's Hospital's success is attributed to its unwavering dedication to research, which has led to numerous discoveries that have transformed pediatric healthcare. The hospital's approach has resulted in remarkable improvements in patient outcomes, with survival rates for many serious childhood diseases consistently exceeding national averages.
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Children's hospitals provide psychosocial support
Children's hospitals are dedicated to advancing child health through innovation in the quality, cost, and delivery of care. They are unique in that they offer their services exclusively to children and adolescents, with most hospitals serving patients from birth to the age of 21. The first children's hospitals were established in the nineteenth century in France and England, and they were designed to provide optimal care to infants, children, and adolescents in an environment where parents were admitted, and the special needs of children were catered for.
Children's hospitals are distinguished by their heightened focus on providing psychosocial support to young patients and their families. Psychosocial services are an integral part of the care team, ensuring that patients and their families have the necessary social, emotional, and psychological resources. These services are particularly important for children who have to spend long periods in the hospital.
The psychosocial support team at children's hospitals consists of professionals in various fields, including social work, child life, psychology, art and music therapy, genetics, therapeutic recreation, massage therapy, and occupational and physical therapy. Social workers, for example, help assess the psychosocial needs of the child and family, offering support, information, and education. They also connect families with community or hospital resources, such as support groups and financial guidance. Art therapists, on the other hand, use therapeutic play to support and reduce fear, anxiety, and pain for children and their families.
Additionally, chaplains in the Department of Spiritual Care provide emotional and spiritual support for patients, their families, and even staff members. Overall, the goal of the psychosocial services team is to help children understand their diagnosis, cope with medical procedures, and minimize stress and fears. They also assist siblings in understanding what their brother or sister is going through. By addressing these psychosocial concerns before, during, and after treatment, the team enhances the overall well-being of the child and their family.
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Children's hospitals are designed with kids in mind
The design of these hospitals goes beyond medical care by creating an environment that supports the emotional and psychological needs of young patients. For example, the Primary Children's Hospital Miller Family Campus incorporates design elements that provide positive distractions and reduce stress. The flooring pattern follows the natural meandering path a child might take when walking down a hallway, and dichroic glass on the stair guardrails adds a dynamic element with its shifting colours. Natural light, outdoor spaces, and access to nature are also incorporated, as they are linked to improved health outcomes.
Children's hospitals also pay special attention to the needs of parents and caregivers. The Miller Family Campus, for instance, includes comfortable seating for parents to sleep by their child's bedside, areas for food preparation, and bathrooms where parents can shower without leaving their child's room. There is also a daycare area for siblings who are not receiving treatment, recognising the challenges faced by parents with multiple children.
The overall atmosphere and colour scheme of children's hospitals are carefully considered to create a carefree and attractive environment. The recent shift in healthcare thought, recognising that no patient is "typical", has led to the inclusion of diverse spaces catering to different needs. Recessed nooks throughout the lobby areas provide a comfortable and protected space for patients who prefer enclosed environments, especially those feeling anxious about their visit.
Children's hospitals are designed to maximise patient wellness and facilitate better care decisions by medical staff. They are characterised by multidisciplinary teams of specialists, including paediatricians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensive care experts, who collaborate to meet the unique physiological and developmental needs of children. The size of machines and drug administration procedures are tailored to each child, ensuring a personalised approach to their medical care.
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Children's Hospital Association supports over 200 hospitals
Children's Hospital Association (CHA) is a membership association of more than 200 children's hospitals, health systems, and related organizations. They are dedicated to advancing child health through innovation in the quality, cost, and delivery of care in children's hospitals and health systems.
Children's hospitals are essential providers, setting the standard for the highest quality of pediatric care. They offer their services exclusively to children and adolescents, usually from birth up to the age of 21. These hospitals are characterized by their focus on providing psychosocial support to young patients and their families. This can include access to play and teaching staff, as well as trips to local points of interest such as botanical gardens, zoos, and public libraries.
The need for specialized pediatric care was recognized in the 19th century, with the first children's hospitals established in France and England. Over time, pediatric medicine evolved into a distinct specialty, separating from internal medicine and adult surgical specialties. Today, children's hospitals in the US perform 97% of all organ transplantations and 90% of pediatric cancer care. They are equipped with specialized professionals, allied health professionals, and technology tailored to the unique needs of children.
CHA plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration and innovation among its member hospitals. By working together, these hospitals can improve patient outcomes, develop best practices, and advocate for children's health at a national level. CHA helps member hospitals build vital relationships, improve the quality of care, and reduce costs. Through initiatives like the Summer Underrepresented in Medicine Medical Student Research (SUMMR) program, CHA also promotes diversity and inclusion in the field of medicine.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 2024, there were over 270 children's hospitals in the US.
Pediatric hospitals, also known as children's hospitals, are medical facilities that offer their services exclusively to children and adolescents. They typically serve children from birth up to the age of 18 to 21.
Pediatric hospitals are designed with children in mind and have specialists, allied health professionals, and technology specifically for children that may not be available in other hospitals. They also place greater emphasis on the psychosocial support of children and their families.
Some examples of top-ranked pediatric hospitals in the US include Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and Cincinnati Children's Burnet Campus in Ohio.
