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Cost of living for infants weighing 1,000 grams or less at birth
Insights
Caring for infants weighing 1,000 grams or less at birth incurred significant costs, with survivors costing an average of $40,287. The total cost for a neurologically normal survivor was $88,058.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Healthcare Economics
Background:
- Infants weighing 1,000 grams or less at birth represent a vulnerable population requiring intensive medical care.
- Understanding the financial implications of neonatal intensive care is crucial for resource allocation and healthcare policy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the in-hospital costs associated with the care of very low birth weight infants.
- To evaluate the long-term costs for survivors, particularly those with normal neurological and developmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 75 infants weighing 1,000 gm or less born between January 1973 and June 1975.
- Hospital charges were adjusted to September 1976 rates and corrected for a 94% collection rate. Physician fees were excluded.
Main Results:
- Forty percent (30 of 75) of infants survived.
- The average adjusted total cost for infants who died was $14,236.
- The average adjusted total cost for survivors was $40,287, with the cost for a neurologically normal survivor averaging $88,058.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests that the outcomes for these infants may justify the significant healthcare expenditures.
- The societal value and ethical considerations of intensive neonatal care warrant ongoing discussion.
Abstract:
This article reports the in-hospital cost of caring for 75 infants weighing 1,000 gm or less at birth who were born during the 2 1/2-year period between January 1973 and June 1975. Thirty infants (40%) survived. Nineteen of 27 infants tested (70%) appear to be neurologically and developmentally "normal" at 1 to 3 years of age. Hospital charges were adjusted to September 1976 rates and corrected for a 94% collection rate. Physicians' fees represented less than 5% of the total bill and were not included. The average adjusted daily and total costs for the 45 infants who died were $825 and $14,236, respectively. The average adjusted daily and total costs for the 30 survivors were $450 and $40,287, respectively. The average adjusted total cost per "normal" survivor was $88,058. It is our belief that the outcome justifies this expense. Society, however, must be the ultimate judge.