Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
15:16

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR

Published on: July 22, 2012

Costs associated with office visits for diarrhea in infants and toddlers

P Avendaño1, D O Matson, J Long

  • 1School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|November 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric diarrhea incurs significant costs, averaging $289 per episode for families. This includes medical expenses and lost work, highlighting diarrhea as a major U.S. healthcare burden.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health Economics
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • Diarrhea is a common illness in young children.
  • Rotavirus is a significant cause of pediatric diarrhea.
  • The economic impact of pediatric diarrhea on healthcare systems is substantial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the direct and indirect costs associated with pediatric diarrhea in an ambulatory setting.
  • To estimate the national economic burden of pediatric diarrhea.
  • To identify the contribution of rotavirus to the overall cost.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of children under 36 months with acute diarrhea during rotavirus season.
  • Cost data collection via questionnaires (medical and non-medical factors) and review of office computer records.
  • Analysis of costs per episode and annual costs at three centers, with extrapolation to national figures.

Main Results:

  • The average cost per episode of diarrhea was $289, with missed work and office visits being major components.
  • Diarrhea accounted for 4% of all clinic visits and 10% of visits for children under 36 months.
  • Annual costs at three centers totaled $346,000, extrapolating to $0.6-$1.0 billion nationally, with 21% attributed to rotavirus.

Conclusions:

  • Outpatient pediatric diarrhea represents a major healthcare cost in the United States.
  • Both direct medical costs and indirect non-medical costs, such as parental work loss, contribute significantly.
  • Rotavirus diarrhea is a substantial driver of these economic burdens.

More Related Videos

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease03:25

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: December 27, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS01:17

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management

Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) involves a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and medication.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...