The impact of preterm birth on hospital inpatient admissions and costs during the first 5 years of life

Objectives. To compare the cumulative use and cost of hospital inpatient services to 5 years of age by individuals divided into 4 subgroups by gestational age at birth. Design. Costs applied to the hospital service utilization profile of each infant born in 2 areas covered by the Oxford Record Linkage Study during 1970-1993. Setting. Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, southern United Kingdom. Subjects. 239694 individuals divided into 4 subgroups by gestational age at birth: Main Outcome Measures. Number and duration of hospital admissions during the first 5 years of life and costs, expressed in [pounds sterling] sterling and valued at 1998-1999 prices, of hospital inpatient services. Results. The total duration of hospital admissions for infants born at Conclusions. Preterm birth is a major predictor of how much an individual will cost hospital service providers during the first 5 years of life. Pediatrics 2003;112: 1290-1297; preterm birth, admissions, resource utilization, costs.
The high rates of morbidity and mortality arising from preterm birth impose a considerable burden on finite health care resources. Preterm infants are at increased risk of a range of [...]