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Economic issues in the follow-up of neonates
1National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Institute of Health Sciences, UK. stavros.petrou@perinatal-epidemiology.oxford.ac.uk
Insights
Caring for infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) creates significant financial burdens. A review found most studies only assessed initial hospital costs, neglecting long-term and societal expenses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Health Economics
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care is essential for critically ill newborns.
- These services incur substantial financial costs for multiple stakeholders.
- Understanding the full economic impact is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on the costs associated with neonatal intensive care.
- To identify gaps in the economic evaluation of neonatal intensive care services.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted.
- Eighty-one studies reporting primary research on the costs of neonatal intensive care were identified and analyzed.
Main Results:
- The majority of reviewed studies focused on costs during the initial neonatal intensive care unit hospital stay.
- Fewer studies addressed post-discharge health service costs, broader economic impacts, or costs borne by families and caregivers.
- Significant gaps exist in comprehensively quantifying the total financial burden.
Conclusions:
- Current economic assessments of neonatal intensive care are often incomplete.
- Future research should encompass a wider range of costs, including long-term and societal impacts.
- A more holistic approach to cost evaluation is needed for effective healthcare policy and support systems.
Abstract:
Children with conditions requiring neonatal intensive care impose a financial burden on health services, on families and carers, and on society generally. A systematic review of the literature identified 81 studies that conducted primary research on the cost of services as a result of conditions requiring neonatal intensive care. The majority of studies estimated costs incurred during the initial hospital stay. Relatively few studies considered health service costs following discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, costs to other sectors of the economy or costs to families and carers. It is important that these costs are considered more fully.