Economic Burden of Hospitalization with Acute Wheezing in Preschool Children: A Multi-Center Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Health Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Wheezing represents a significant health concern among preschool-aged children in Thailand.
• Understanding the economic impact of wheezing is crucial for resource allocation and public health policy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the hospitalization costs associated with acute wheezing in preschool children.
• To analyze these costs from patient, provider, and societal perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 234 preschool children admitted with acute wheezing across four Thai hospitals.
• Data collection included hospital financial records and caregiver expenses.
• Cost valuation utilized the cost-to-charge ratio method for direct medical costs and the human capital approach for informal care costs.

Main Results:

• Mean costs per admission were 3,020 THB (patient), 18,126 THB (provider), and 20,269 THB (societal).
• Accommodation during admission was the primary cost driver for providers and society.
• Informal care represented a major component of direct non-medical costs.

Conclusions:

• The total estimated economic burden of acute wheezing admissions in Thai preschoolers is 759 million THB per year.
• This cost-of-illness analysis provides critical evidence on the economic impact of childhood wheezing in Thailand.
• Findings underscore the substantial financial implications of wheezing hospitalizations in this age group.