Short term cost of care for the surviving periviable neonate.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the hospital cost and distribution of financial charges for the initial hospitalization of the surviving periviable neonate.

STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective case series, we analyzed medical records and financial data for neonates 23-25 weeks' gestational age in a single tertiary care NICU over 42 months. A detailed breakdown of hospital cost components and charges was determined for all survivors during their initial hospitalization. Statistical significance was determined using the Bonferroni-Sidak method.

RESULTS: Overall survival was 78% in infants born at 23-25 weeks' gestational age. Survival increased and length of stay and hospital costs decreased with increased gestational age (p < 0.05 for all). Hospital charges were distributed as: NICU 56%, respiratory 11%, pharmacy 6%, laboratory 6%, radiology 6%, surgery 1%, neonatology 13% and miscellaneous 1%.

CONCLUSION: Our study describes the hospital cost and distribution of charges for the periviable neonate during the initial hospitalization. These economic data may guide clinicians in quality improvement and cost management.