Laila Chaudhry

All Publications

• Prevalence of chronic pain among U.S. children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Pain reports Chou, H., Chaudhry, L. A., Rabbitts, J. A., Groenewald, C. B. 2026; 11 (5): e1495

  Abstract

  Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affect up to 15% of children in the United States and are associated with co-occurring health challenges such as chronic pain, which can negatively affect development and quality of life. Increased risk of chronic pain in children with NDDs remains poorly understood; this study aimed to estimate chronic pain prevalence among children with NDDs and explore whether this association differs by sex.We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of children participating in the 2022 to 2023 National Survey of Children's Health (age 3-17 years, n = 84,117). Neurodevelopmental disorders included attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, autism, intellectual disability, speech disorder, Tourette syndrome, learning disability, and developmental delay. Chronic pain was defined as frequent or persistent pain in the past 12 months. Weighted multivariable logistic regression estimated associations between NDDs and chronic pain, adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariates.Overall, 18.7% (95% confidence interval: 18.2%-19.2%) of children had an NDD. Chronic pain prevalence was higher among children with NDDs than among those without (10.3% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, children with any NDD (aOR 1.9 [1.7-2.2]) had increased odds of chronic pain. Tourette syndrome showed the greatest odds (aOR = 3.2 [1.7-6.2]). Sex did not alter the association between NDDs and chronic pain (P = 0.79).Neurodevelopmental disorders affect 1 in 6 U.S. children and are associated with almost double the odds of chronic pain. This increased odds emphasizes the need for improved chronic pain recognition and management among children with NDDs. Future research should examine chronic pain in youth with NDDs, to improve assessment, management, and understanding of pain mechanisms.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001495

  View details for PubMedID 42689254

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC13537716

• National medical expenditures associated with pediatric surgical care in the United States. Journal of pediatric surgery Kreider, S. L., Chaudhry, L. A., Rabbitts, J. A., Chao, S. D., Anderson, T. A., Groenewald, C. B. 2026: 163492

  Abstract

  Surgical care accounts for a large proportion of U.S. healthcare costs, yet comprehensive data on pediatric surgical expenditures remain limited. This study provides nationally representative estimates of medical expenditures associated with pediatric surgery in the United States.We performed cross-sectional analysis of children ages 0-18 years participating in the 2017-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (n=39,926). Children were considered to have undergone surgery if they had at least one medical encounter with the primary reason being an "operation or surgical procedure." Multivariable regression models were used to estimate incremental medical expenditures associated with surgery, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity burden.The overall weighted prevalence of surgery was 4.1% (95% CI: 3.9-4.4). After adjustment for sociodemographic and comorbid conditions, children who underwent surgery had significantly higher total per-person medical expenditures compared to those who did not ($13,271 vs $2,198, respectively; p<0.0001). This resulted in an incremental expenditure associated with surgery of $11,072 (95% CI: $7,677-$14,467). Weighted to the national population, pediatric surgical expenditures averaged 35.4 billion dollars per year (95% CI: $24.5 billion- $46.3 billion). When examined by service category, the highest incremental expenditures were for inpatient services ($4,854) and office-based visits ($2,030). When categorized by payment source, the largest incremental expenditures were borne by private insurance ($5,417) and Medicaid/CHIP ($4,867), with significant increases also noted for out-of-pocket expenditures ($522).Pediatric surgery is associated with substantial economic burden of over $11,000 per child and over $35 billion dollars nationally. These findings underscore the significant financial impact of surgical care and can inform healthcare policy and resource allocation decisions.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2026.163492

  View details for PubMedID 42763012

• Autonomic regulation of pain inhibition mechanisms: the relationship between baroreflex sensitivity and conditioned pain modulation Chaudhry, L. A., Mogil, J. S., Usselman, C. W. AMER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOC. 2026

  View details for DOI 10.1152/physiol.2026.41.S1.2300705

  View details for Web of Science ID 001777494000001

• Pain and Autonomic Function: Involvement of the Parasympathetic System in Conditioned Pain Modulation Chaudhry, L. A., Usselman, C. W., Mogil, J. S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2026

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105813

  View details for Web of Science ID 001744363600008