Assessment of Global Burden due to neonatal encephalopathy: An economic evaluation

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a significant cause of neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries, with far-reaching impacts on families and national human capital. Quantifying the disease burden in monetary terms is crucial for resource allocation and public health prioritization, yet data on the economic impact of NE-related neonatal mortality and prevention is limited. This study estimates the country-specific disease burden and economic impacts of NE for the ten countries with the highest death tolls in 2019. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Collaborative Network, we analyzed NE-specific mortality trends and calculated years of life lost (YLLs) based on life expectancy, with and without age weighting and discounting. Economic losses were evaluated using the value per statistical life (VSL) and value per statistical life year (VSLY) methodologies, with sensitivity analyses incorporating variable discount rates. In 2019, the ten countries with the highest NE burden was estimated at 138,763 neonatal deaths. YLLs ranged from 4.5 million with discounting to 9.8 million without. While nine of these countries reduced overall neonatal mortality from 2010 to 2019, six saw rising NE-specific mortality. Economic losses were estimated at $80 billion using the VSL method and between $72 billion and $163 billion using VSLY. Despite overall progress in reducing neonatal mortality, targeted funded strategies are needed to address NE in LAMI countries. Burden of NE could be reduced with improved strategic access to quality antenatal care and effective peripartum practices through efficient and enhanced resource allocation.