A Population-Based Study of the Incidence, Medical Care, and Medical Expenditures for Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of pediatric trauma morbidity and mortality around the world. However, limited research exists regarding disparities in the incidence of TBI and medical care seeking behaviors and medical expenditures for TBI, particularly using population-based and nationally-representative data. Materials and Methods The present study used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Panels 9-19 (2004-2015) to provide nationally-representative estimates for the civilian, non-institutionalized U.S. population. We examined differences in TBI incidence and associated medical care seeking behaviors and expenditures in relation to individual and family sociodemographic characteristics. Results From a total of 50,563 children in the MEPS Panels 9-19, we identified 449 children with TBI. For 82% of these children, medical treatment was sought. The estimated annual total expenditure associated with pediatric TBIs nationally was approximately $667 million, with mean expenditures per TBI being $1,532 and family out of pocket expenditures accounting for 8.3% of total expenditures. Race/ethnicity was the only significant factor associated with both medical care seeking behavior and total expenditures. Conclusions The present study is among the first to compare pediatric TBI-related medical expenditures among different sociodemographic groups in the U.S. Our findings can inform future intervention research and policy-making from the perspectives of both epidemiological and behavioral sciences.