The actual cost of prematurity is ignored in our country and its knowledge is essential for an integral solution of the problem Objective a) To estimate the mean hospital stay time, according to gestational age and outcome. b) To calculate the theoretical cost of hospitalization according to the received assistance. Material and methods: 36 700 records included in the Sistema Informático Perinatal from 1/1/88 to 31/12/93(6 years) were studied. Results mean time of hospital stay (in days) according to Gestacional Age and outcome: Table The calculated cost between 25 and 32 weeks in the survivors, with a mean time of hospitalization of 46 days and according to the type of attention is: Intensive care (30%) = 14 days × $ 1000 = $ 14.000, Intermediate Care(30%) = 14 days × $ 800 = $ 11.200, Minimum Care (40%) = 18 days ×$ 300 = $ 5.400, TOTAL = $ 30.600 per each newborn baby. In case of death with an average time at death of 7 days, the cost would be (100% Intensive Care): $ 7000. Conclusions: the results provide economical basis for assistance resource administration is possible to estimate cost and to plan assistance resources.

Table 1
Full size table