Abstract
The impact of implementation of the National Health Insurance on the outcome, cost, and length of hospitalization of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants is not clear in Taiwan. These data are important for the planning of medical care and regionalization in this area. This study was an attempt to examine these questions. We retrospectively collected mortality, morbidity, and length and cost of hospitalization data of VLBW (BW < 1500 g) infants between March 1995 and February 1998. There were totally 162 patients enrolled. The overall mortality rate was 21.6%; the birth weight (BW)-specific mortality rate was 72%, 31%, 19%, and 3% for infants with BWs of < 750 g, 750-999 g, 1000-1249 g, and 1250-1499 g, respectively. The incidence of morbidities were: respiratory distress syndrome (74%), patent ductus arteriosus (36%), necrotizing enterocolitis (9%), sepsis (42%), intraventricular hemorrhage (15%), retinopathy of prematurity (31%), failure to pass auditory brainstem response (ABR) (34%), and chronic lung disease (17%). The average length of hospitalization was 67.2 days, and the cost per infant was 62 × 104 NT dollars; 108 ± 38 days, 73 ± 32 × 104 NT dollars if BW < 750 g; 94 ± 15 days, 99 ± 35 × 104 NT dollars if BW 750-999 g; 66 ± 23 days, 64 ± 36 × 104 NT dollars if BW 1000-1249 g; and 43 ± 14 days, 39 ± 37 × 104 NT dollars if BW 1250-1499 g. In conclusion, VLBW infants are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. They have long lengths and high costs of hospitalization, and therefore deserve attention in the implementation of the National Health Insurance and regionalization.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 308-312 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 1 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Cost
- Length of hospitalization
- Morbidity
- Mortality
- VLBW infant
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Cite this
Mortality, morbidity, length and cost of hospitalization in very-low-birth-weight infants in the era of National Health Insurance in Taiwan : A medical center's experience. / Chang, S. C.; Lin, C. H.; Lin, Y. J.; Yeh, T. F.
In: Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica, Vol. 41, No. 6, 01.12.2000, p. 308-312.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Mortality, morbidity, length and cost of hospitalization in very-low-birth-weight infants in the era of National Health Insurance in Taiwan
T2 - A medical center's experience
AU - Chang, S. C.
AU - Lin, C. H.
AU - Lin, Y. J.
AU - Yeh, T. F.
PY - 2000/12/1
Y1 - 2000/12/1
N2 - The impact of implementation of the National Health Insurance on the outcome, cost, and length of hospitalization of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants is not clear in Taiwan. These data are important for the planning of medical care and regionalization in this area. This study was an attempt to examine these questions. We retrospectively collected mortality, morbidity, and length and cost of hospitalization data of VLBW (BW < 1500 g) infants between March 1995 and February 1998. There were totally 162 patients enrolled. The overall mortality rate was 21.6%; the birth weight (BW)-specific mortality rate was 72%, 31%, 19%, and 3% for infants with BWs of < 750 g, 750-999 g, 1000-1249 g, and 1250-1499 g, respectively. The incidence of morbidities were: respiratory distress syndrome (74%), patent ductus arteriosus (36%), necrotizing enterocolitis (9%), sepsis (42%), intraventricular hemorrhage (15%), retinopathy of prematurity (31%), failure to pass auditory brainstem response (ABR) (34%), and chronic lung disease (17%). The average length of hospitalization was 67.2 days, and the cost per infant was 62 × 104 NT dollars; 108 ± 38 days, 73 ± 32 × 104 NT dollars if BW < 750 g; 94 ± 15 days, 99 ± 35 × 104 NT dollars if BW 750-999 g; 66 ± 23 days, 64 ± 36 × 104 NT dollars if BW 1000-1249 g; and 43 ± 14 days, 39 ± 37 × 104 NT dollars if BW 1250-1499 g. In conclusion, VLBW infants are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. They have long lengths and high costs of hospitalization, and therefore deserve attention in the implementation of the National Health Insurance and regionalization.
AB - The impact of implementation of the National Health Insurance on the outcome, cost, and length of hospitalization of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants is not clear in Taiwan. These data are important for the planning of medical care and regionalization in this area. This study was an attempt to examine these questions. We retrospectively collected mortality, morbidity, and length and cost of hospitalization data of VLBW (BW < 1500 g) infants between March 1995 and February 1998. There were totally 162 patients enrolled. The overall mortality rate was 21.6%; the birth weight (BW)-specific mortality rate was 72%, 31%, 19%, and 3% for infants with BWs of < 750 g, 750-999 g, 1000-1249 g, and 1250-1499 g, respectively. The incidence of morbidities were: respiratory distress syndrome (74%), patent ductus arteriosus (36%), necrotizing enterocolitis (9%), sepsis (42%), intraventricular hemorrhage (15%), retinopathy of prematurity (31%), failure to pass auditory brainstem response (ABR) (34%), and chronic lung disease (17%). The average length of hospitalization was 67.2 days, and the cost per infant was 62 × 104 NT dollars; 108 ± 38 days, 73 ± 32 × 104 NT dollars if BW < 750 g; 94 ± 15 days, 99 ± 35 × 104 NT dollars if BW 750-999 g; 66 ± 23 days, 64 ± 36 × 104 NT dollars if BW 1000-1249 g; and 43 ± 14 days, 39 ± 37 × 104 NT dollars if BW 1250-1499 g. In conclusion, VLBW infants are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. They have long lengths and high costs of hospitalization, and therefore deserve attention in the implementation of the National Health Insurance and regionalization.
KW - Cost
KW - Length of hospitalization
KW - Morbidity
KW - Mortality
KW - VLBW infant
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034527073&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0034527073&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 11198936
AN - SCOPUS:0034527073
VL - 41
SP - 308
EP - 312
JO - Pediatrics and Neonatology
JF - Pediatrics and Neonatology
SN - 1875-9572
IS - 6
ER -