Healthcare costs attributable to congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Issue 5 (23rd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Korndewal, Marjolein J; Weltevrede, Marlies; van den Akker-van Marle, M Elske; Oudesluys-Murphy, Anne Marie; de Melker, Hester E; Vossen, Ann C T M
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 103:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 452
• Page End: 457
• Publication Date: 2018-01-23
• Subjects: costing -- health economics -- infectious diseases -- virology; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-312805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) can cause symptoms at birth as well as long-term impairment. This study estimates cCMV-related healthcare costs in the Netherlands in early childhood. Design, setting and patients: In a nationwide retrospective cohort study, 156 children with cCMV were identified by testing 31 484 neonatal dried blood spots for cCMV. Use of healthcare resources in the first 6 years of life by children with cCMV and a matched cCMV-negative control group were analysed. Mean costs per child were calculated by multiplying healthcare resource use by its reference prices. Exposure: Children with cCMV were compared with cCMV-negative children. Main outcome measures: The average total healthcare costs per child were based on the average costs for hospital admissions and consultations by healthcare providers. Results: Mean healthcare costs of children with cCMV (€6113, n=133) were higher than children without cCMV (€3570, n=274), although statistically not significant, with a mean difference of €2544 (95% CI €-451 to €5538). The costs of children with long-term impairment were two times higher in children with cCMV (€17 205) compared with children without cCMV (€8332). Conclusions: Children with cCMV, especially those with long-term impairment and those symptomatic at birth, accrue higher healthcare costs than cCMV-negative children in the first 6 years of life, although this is not statistically significant. This economic impact is of importance in the evaluation of preventive measures against cCMV. Trial registration number: NTR3582.