Original Article

Journal of Perinatology (2005) 25, 47–53. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211196 Published online 9 September 2004

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Malaysian Neonatal Intensive Care Units

For the Cost-effectiveness NICU study group

Cost-effectiveness NICU study group: Irene Cheah, Padma Soosai, Wong Swee Lan, Lee Kok Foo, Chan Lee Gaik, Tan Kah Kee, Lee Meng Lee, Mohd. Hanifah, Hasmawati Hassan.

Irene Guat Sim Cheah FRCP1, Anna Padma Soosai MRCP1, Swee Lan Wong FRCP1 and Teck Onn Lim FRCP2

  1. 1Department of Paediatrics (I.G.S.C., A.P.S., S.L.W.), Paediatric Institute, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  2. 2Clinical Research Centre (T.O.L.), Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Correspondence: Irene Guat Sim Cheah, FRCP, Department of Paediatrics, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur 50586, Malaysia

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

 

To perform a cost-effective analysis on the care of infants between 1000 and 1500 g birthweight (the study group), where outcomes are measured as survival to 1 year of age.

METHODOLOGY:

 

This was a multicenter observational study to determine the outcome, cost and cost-effectiveness of neonatal intensive care provided by Ministry of Health (MOH) Pediatric services. A total of 333 patients enrolled were eligible for analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study.

RESULTS:

 

Overall survival probability of the study group infants at 1 year of age was 78%. Survival at 1-year of age was 77% for infants with birth weight 1000 to 1249 g, 79% for 1250 to 1499 g. Survival at 1 year of age for the sample group was 53% for 22 to 27 weeks gestation, 80% for 28 to 36 weeks. The average cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) of neonatal intensive care for the study group infants was US$26 per survivor at 1 year of age (95% confidence interval US$3411, 5160).

CONCLUSION:

 

There was variability in the outcome and cost-effectiveness between the neonatal units, which need to be further assessed. However, neonatal intensive care services provided for the study group infants were cost-effective compared to that in developed countries.

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