Direct costs of low respiratory infection due to RSV in children under one year

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Health Economics

Background:

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory infections in hospitalized infants.
• Understanding the economic burden of RSV hospitalizations is crucial for resource allocation and public health planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the direct costs associated with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) hospitalizations in infants.
• To compare hospitalization costs between infants with and without specific risk factors.

Main Methods:

• A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on infants under one year of age hospitalized with RSV in 2015.
• Patients were categorized into two groups: those without risk factors and those with risk factors (e.g., prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, heart disease).
• Direct hospitalization costs were calculated using national health fund fees and institutional care modalities.

Main Results:

• A total of 260 infants were admitted; 90% had no risk factors (Group 1) and 10% had risk factors (Group 2).
• Average hospital stay was significantly longer for Group 2 (13.6 days) compared to Group 1 (7.3 days) (p < 0.05).
• Direct costs were significantly higher for Group 2 (CLP $744,260 / US$1,137.6) versus Group 1 (CLP $413,529 / US$632.1) (p < 0.05), with increased costs for tests, drugs, and daily hospital stay.

Conclusions:

• RSV hospitalizations represent a substantial direct cost in the national healthcare system.
• Infants with identified risk factors incur significantly higher hospitalization costs and longer stays, highlighting the economic impact on vulnerable populations.