Prevalence of chronic respiratory morbidity, length of stay, inpatient readmissions, and costs among extremely preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

<b>Objective</b>: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic respiratory morbidity (CRM) in preterm infants (born ≤28 weeks gestational age (GA)) and compare healthcare resource utilization and costs among infants with/without CRM, and with/without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).<b>Methods</b>: Commercial claims data from the Truven MarketScan database were retrospectively analyzed. Included infants were born ≤28 weeks GA and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (January 2009-June 2016). Continuous insurance eligibility was required from birth through 1 year (CRM/no CRM cohorts) or ≥3 months (BPD/no BPD cohorts) CA or death.<b>Results</b>: CRM analysis included 1782 infants; 29.0% had CRM. BPD analysis included 2805 infants; 61.1% had BPD. The mean birth hospital length of stay was longer in infants with CRM versus those with no CRM (p < 0.0001). In infants with CRM or BPD, hospital readmission rates were significantly increased versus those without (both p < 0.0001). Total health care costs were significantly higher in infants with CRM (p = 0.0488) and BPD (p < 0.0001) versus those without. After birth hospitalization, outpatient visits and hospital readmissions accounted for most of the costs for the CRM and BPD cohorts.<b>Conclusion</b>: CRM and BPD following extremely preterm birth impose a significant health care burden.