Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2025
Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
Published on: February 15, 2013
Economic burden of pneumococcal disease in children in Liguria, Italy
Daniela Amicizia1,2, Matteo Astengo1, Chiara Paganino1
1Planning, Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, Regional Health Agency of Liguria (ALiSa), Genoa, Italy.
Insights
Pneumococcal disease (PD) remains a significant burden in Italian children despite widespread infant immunizations. Annual costs for emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to PD reached €3.6 million, highlighting a persistent economic impact.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Health Economics
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Infant immunization programs globally include vaccinations against Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Despite vaccination efforts, pneumococcal disease (PD) continues to pose a substantial health burden.
- Understanding the economic impact of PD is crucial for public health resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the healthcare costs associated with emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for pneumococcal disease (PD), all-cause pneumonia, and acute otitis media in children under 15 years of age in Italy's Liguria region.
- To analyze trends in the number and cost of these healthcare encounters between 2012 and 2018.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study utilizing Liguria Region Administrative Health Databases and the Ligurian Chronic Condition Data Warehouse.
- Inclusion criteria: patients with one or more ED or inpatient claims for PD (ICD-9-CM codes).
- Cost estimation based on diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) and ED procedures.
Main Results:
- Median annual hospitalizations and ED visits for PD in Ligurian children (<15 years) were 4,009 between 2012-2018.
- Median estimated annual cost for PD-related ED visits and hospitalizations was €3.6 million.
- All-cause pneumonia constituted the largest portion of hospitalization costs; PD-related costs and encounter numbers increased annually.
Conclusions:
- Despite comprehensive infant immunization programs in Liguria, pneumococcal disease imposes a significant and increasing economic burden on the healthcare system.
- High costs associated with PD-related ED visits and hospitalizations in children aged 0-14 underscore the need for continued surveillance and potential intervention strategies.
- Further research may explore the cost-effectiveness of existing vaccination strategies and alternative prevention measures.
Abstract:
Vaccinations against Streptococcus pneumoniae are included in infant immunization programs globally. However, a substantial burden due to pneumococcal disease (PD) remains. This study aimed to estimate the cost of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations associated with invasive pneumococcal disease, all-cause pneumonia, and acute otitis media in children <15 years of age in the Liguria region of Italy between 2012 and 2018. The retrospective cohort study used data from the Liguria Region Administrative Health Databases and the Ligurian Chronic Condition Data Warehouse, which contain information on hospital stays, outpatient visits, laboratory/imaging techniques, surgical procedures, and pharmaceutical prescriptions. Patients with one or more ED or inpatient claim for PD (based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes) were included. Cost of ED visits and hospitalizations were estimated from the diagnosis-related group system and procedures performed in the ED. In Ligurian children <15 years of age during 2012-2018, the median annual number of hospitalizations plus ED visits due to PD was 4,009, and the median estimated annual cost was €3.6 million. All-cause pneumonia accounted for the majority of hospitalization costs during the study period. Number and costs of ED visits and hospitalizations increased from 2012 to 2018. Despite widespread infant immunization in Liguria, economic costs due to PD-associated ED visits and hospitalizations remained high in children 0-14 years of age.
More Related Videos
08:05Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
11:32Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...