This text is geared towards practitioners who care for hospitalized children, providing an update on medical care in the inpatient setting. As outpatient management of pediatric illness becomes increasingly sophisticated and comprehensive, the care of pediatric patients in the hospital setting has had similar shifts. Hospitalization is reserved for patients with a higher severity of illness, those who require expedited evaluation or more intensive medical support, and those with complex conditions that may require coordination with multiple specialists at times of acute illness. In this issue, the inpatient focus for important topics is provided, including pneumonia, apparent life-threatening events, bone and soft-tissue infections, central nervous system infections, diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis, pain management, infections related to indwelling catheters and devices, and bronchiolitis. Also reviewed are end-of-life issues, medical errors and patient safety, and care of the medically complex child. An overview of the growing field of pediatric hospital medicine is included.