Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates
Published on: September 6, 2017
Preterm birth-associated cost of early intervention services: an analysis by gestational age
Karen M Clements1, Wanda D Barfield, M Femi Ayadi
1Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Center for Community Health, 250 Washington St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, USA. karen.clements@state.ma.us
Insights
Preterm infants incur higher early intervention costs than term infants. Understanding these costs is crucial for budgeting early childhood developmental services and addressing the impact of increasing prematurity rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Increasing rates of preterm birth necessitate accurate cost assessments.
- Evaluating cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent preterm delivery is vital.
- Understanding early intervention costs associated with preterm birth is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the program costs of early intervention services for infants born in Massachusetts.
- To analyze these costs by gestational age at birth.
- To inform budget forecasting for early intervention programs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal Data Set, linking birth certificates to early intervention claims.
- Calculated total program costs and mean cost per surviving infant in 2003 dollars.
- Examined costs by plurality, eligibility, provider discipline, and annual costs over the first three years.
Main Results:
- Total program costs reached nearly $66 million, with a mean cost of $857 per surviving infant.
- Mean cost per infant was significantly higher for extremely preterm infants ($5393) and moderately preterm infants ($1578) compared to term infants ($725).
- Costs were higher for multiples than singletons and increased with age from infancy to toddlerhood.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants incur substantially higher early intervention costs compared to term infants.
- These findings are essential for budget forecasting for early intervention programs.
- Long-term costs of prematurity must incorporate expenses for early childhood developmental services.
Objectives:
Characterizing the cost of preterm birth is important in assessing the impact of increasing prematurity rates and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of therapies to prevent preterm delivery. To assess early intervention costs that are associated with preterm births, we estimated the program cost of early intervention services for children who were born in Massachusetts, by gestational age at birth.
Methods:
Using the Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal Data Set, birth certificates for infants who were born in Massachusetts between July 1999 and June 2000 were linked to early intervention claims through 2003. We determined total program costs, in 2003 dollars, of early intervention and mean cost per surviving infant by gestational age. Costs by plurality, eligibility criteria, provider discipline, and annual costs for children's first 3 years also were examined.
Results:
Overall, 14,033 of 76,901 surviving infants received early intervention services. Program costs totaled almost $66 million, with mean cost per surviving infant of $857. Mean cost per infant was highest for children who were 24 to 31 weeks' gestational age ($5393) and higher for infants who were 32 to 36 weeks' gestational age ($1578) compared with those who were born at term ($725). Cost per surviving infant generally decreased with increasing gestational age. Among children in early intervention, mean cost per child was higher for preterm infants than for term infants. At each gestational age, mean cost per surviving infant was higher for multiples than for singletons, and annual early intervention costs were higher for toddlers than for infants.
Conclusions:
Compared with their term counterparts, preterm infants incurred higher early intervention costs. This information along with data on birth trends will inform budget forecasting for early intervention programs. Costs that are associated with early childhood developmental services must be included when considering the long-term costs of prematurity.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.