Top 12 children's hospitals in the U.S.

1. Boston Children's Hospital

2. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

3. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

4. Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)

5. Children's Hospital Los Angeles

6. Seattle Children's Hospital

7. Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

8. Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora)

9. Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio)

10. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (tie)

10. John's Hopkins Children's Center (Baltimore, Md.) (tie)

10. St. Louis Children's Hospital -- Washington University (tie)

Ranking by Specialty

The survey also ranks hospitals by their ability to treat particular illnesses or conditions. Here are the top three hospitals for each of the specialties covered, as well as the criteria for inclusion.

Cancer

Based on factors such as five-year survival rates, transplant accreditation, and overall infection prevention, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric cancer specialists collected in 2010-2012.

Cardiology and Heart Surgery

Based on factors such as clinical research, surgical survival, and the ability to prevent bloodstream infections, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric cardiologists and heart surgeons collected in 2010-2012.

Diabetes and Endocrinology

Based on factors such as diabetes management, infection prevention, and range of diabetes treatment options, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric diabetes specialists collected in 2010-2012.

Gastroenterology

Based on factors such as liver transplant volume and survival, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric liver specialists collected in 2010-2012.

Neonatology

Based on such factors as nurse staffing in neonatal intensive care units, ability to prevent bloodstream infections, and patient volume, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric neonatologists collected in 2010-2012.

Nephrology

Based on factors such as kidney transplant survival, biopsy complications, and overall infection prevention, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric nephrologists collected in 2010-2012.

Neurology and Neurosurgery

Based on factors such as surgical survival, parent and family involvement, and clinical research, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeons collected in 2010-2012.

Orthopedics

Based on factors such as clinical research, prevention of surgical complications, and infection prevention, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric orthopedists collected in 2010-2012.

Pulmonology

Based on factors such as management of asthma, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric pulmonologists collected in 2010-2012.

Urology

Based on such factors as patient volume, nurse staffing, and bloodstream infections from urinary catheters, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric urologists collected in 2010-2012.

How the Decisions Were Made

Overall, 178 hospitals around the country were surveyed to determine which provide the best care for a variety of medical conditions.

According to U.S. News & World Report, "Out of all roughly 5,000 U.S. hospitals, only about 1 in 30 has rock-solid expertise in caring for children with serious problems."

Each hospital completed a 95-page survey that tallied clinical outcomes such as patient survival, infections, and complications. It also measured each hospital's resources and reputation, analyzing a hospital's staffing, technology, and adherence to best practices.

Other resources, such as the National Cancer Institute, also provided data. Finally, 150 pediatric specialists in each specialty were polled. Each was asked to name the five hospitals to which they would send the sickest children.

The survey was developed by Durham, North Carolina-based research firm RTI International, which also collected and analyzed the data.

SOURCE: US News & World Report: "U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals 2012-13."

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