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Respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis in a high-risk population in Argentina: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Susana P Rodríguez1, Diana Fariña, Gabriela Bauer

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Hospital de Pediatría, Prof. Dr. J. P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina. susiro@ciudad.com.ar

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|June 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Palivizumab effectively prevents respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations in high-risk children. However, high costs limit its use in Argentina, where many eligible children are not treated.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of hospitalization in vulnerable infants.
  • Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody proven effective in reducing RSV-related hospitalizations.
  • High costs of palivizumab limit its accessibility in many regions, including Argentina.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the hospitalization rates for RSV in a cohort of high-risk children in Argentina who did not receive palivizumab.
  • To identify risk factors associated with RSV hospitalization in this population.
  • To assess the cost-effectiveness of palivizumab in averting hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study was conducted with 159 children meeting American Academy of Pediatrics criteria for palivizumab but not receiving it.
  • Hospitalization rates for RSV infection were tracked.
  • Risk factors such as siblings and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were analyzed.
  • Cost analysis was performed based on averted hospitalizations.

Main Results:

  • 26% of the children in the cohort were hospitalized for RSV infection.
  • The presence of siblings and a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were associated with increased hospitalization risk.
  • For high-risk patients, the cost of one averted hospitalization was estimated at USD 13,198 (NNT: 4.5).

Conclusions:

  • Despite its proven efficacy, palivizumab is underutilized in Argentina due to cost barriers.
  • RSV poses a significant hospitalization burden on high-risk children in Argentina.
  • Palivizumab can be a cost-effective intervention for preventing RSV hospitalizations in eligible, high-risk populations.

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