Congenital anomalies and resource utilization in neonates infected with herpes simplex virus

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, while uncommon, is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. However, there is little nationally representative data describing resource utilization.

This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Pediatric Health Information System, an administrative database that contains discharge diagnosis and resource utilization data from 35 free-standing children's hospitals. Patients

There were 406 patients with HSV. The median age was 16 days (interquartile range: 8-31 days); 52% of patients were female. Congenital heart disease, the most common congenital anomaly, occurred in 10% of patients. The median length of stay was 15 days; 21 (5%) patients died. HSV was associated with substantial resource utilization. The median hospital charge was $37,431 (interquartile range: $14,667-$74,559) per infant. The presence of congenital heart disease independently increased the hospital length of stay by 93% (adjusted LOS ratio: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.5-2.5).

HSV infection in neonates and young infants was associated with substantial resource utilization. The presence of an underlying congenital cardiac anomaly was associated with a significantly longer length of stay and higher hospital charges.