Costs of hospitalization in preterm infants: impact of antenatal steroid therapy
Journal Title: Jornal de Pediatria - Year 2016, Vol 92, Issue 1
Abstract
Objective To estimate the costs of hospitalization in premature infants exposed or not to antenatal corticosteroids (ACS). Method Retrospective cohort analysis of premature infants with gestational age of 26–32 weeks without congenital malformations, born between January of 2006 and December of 2009 in a tertiary, public university hospital. Maternal and neonatal demographic data, neonatal morbidities, and hospital inpatient services during the hospitalization were collected. The costs were analyzed using the microcosting technique. Results Of 220 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 211 (96%) charts were reviewed: 170 newborns received at least one dose of antenatal corticosteroid and 41 did not receive the antenatal medication. There was a 14–37% reduction of the different cost components in infants exposed to ACS when the entire population was analyzed, without statistical significance. Regarding premature infants who were discharged alive, there was a 24–47% reduction of the components of the hospital services costs for the ACS group, with a significant decrease in the length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In very-low birth weight infants, considering only the survivors, ACS promoted a 30–50% reduction of all elements of the costs, with a 36% decrease in the total cost (p=0.008). The survivors with gestational age <30 weeks showed a decrease in the total cost of 38% (p=0.008) and a 49% reduction of NICU length of stay (p=0.011). Conclusion ACS reduces the costs of hospitalization of premature infants who are discharged alive, especially those with very low birth weight and <30 weeks of gestational age.
Authors and Affiliations
Joice Ogata
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP553646
- DOI 10.1016/j.jped.2015.03.004
- Views 78
- Downloads 0
Usability of an internet-based platform (Next.Step) for adolescent weight management
Objective The current study evaluates the usability perception of an e-therapeutic platform (supported by electronic processes and communication), aiming to promote the behavior change and to improve the adolescent healt...
Prenatal, perinatal and postnatal factors associated with autism spectrum disorder
Objective To verify genetic determinants associated with stroke in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods Prospective cohort with 110 children submitted to neonatal screening by the Neonatal Screening Program,...
Association between body mass index and individual characteristics and the school context: a multilevel study with Portuguese children
Objective The aim of this study was to examine the association between individual and school context characteristics with the body mass index of Portuguese children. Methods The sample comprised 1641 children (847 boys)...
Maternal food intake and socioeconomic status to tackle childhood malnutrition
This issue features a study by Géa-Horta et al.,1 which describes the association between maternal socioeconomic factors (employment and level of schooling) and the occurrence of some nutritional indicators (short statur...
Sedation and analgesia for procedures in the pediatric emergency room
Objective Children and adolescents often require sedation and analgesia in emergency situations. With the emergence of new therapeutic options, the obsolescence of others, and recent discoveries regarding already known d...