Abstract
Cost-benefit analysis was utilized to evaluate the economic outcome of regionalized neonatal care of low birth weight (LBW) infants (birth weight 500 to 1500 gm) in RI. In RI, neonatal regionalization began in 1974-75 and is now well established. We selected two study periods (1974-75 and 1977-78) which provided the data base for hospital and long term care costs, the latter were based on neurodevelopmental assessment of survivors who were at least 2 years of age when evaluated at our follow-up clinic. Between the 2 study periods (1974-75 vs 1979-80), neonatal mortality fell significantly 52 vs 36%, morbidity was however unchanged (normal 60 vs 65%, mild handicap 13 vs 12%, moderate handicap 12 vs 10% and severe handicap 15 vs 13%). Cost-benefit analysis (all values converted to 1982 dollars) showed:
We conclude that the increase in absolute number of intact survivors since the establishment of regionalized neonatal care in RI has resulted in a 3-fold increase in economic benefits.
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Walker, DJ., Vohr, B. & Oh, W. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF REGIONALIZED NEONATAL CARE FOR LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS IN THE STATE OF RI. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 338 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01468
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01468