Article Abstract:
Children with chronic diseases spend more time in the hospital, at a higher cost, than generally healthy children requiring acute medical care. Researcher examined 30.379 pediatric patient admissions at 163 hospitals. Sixteen percent of patients had at least one chronic disease. Cerebral palsy patients stayed 48% longer than other patients. Children with cystic fibrosis or major organ disease stayed 54% longer than other patients. Patients with cystic fibrosis, cancer, and other chronic diseases costs as much as 79% more to treat for acute illnesses than children without chronic disease. Insurance reimbursement strategies must consider the added cost of treating chronically ill children.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
Whooping cough appears to impose a considerable economic burden. Researchers reviewed medical records and questionnaires for 107 persons who contracted whooping cough. Nearly 90% of cases were children. Illness duration averaged 21 days. Nearly all saw a doctor, most more than once and took at least one course of antibiotics. Antibiotics do not treat whooping cough. All took over-the-counter medications. Fourteen percent required hospital admission and 28% made emergency room visits. Families incurred additional child care costs and 50 adults lost workdays to care for a child. The total cost of the 107 cases was $381,052.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
Children with psychosocial disorders use more healthcare resources than other children. This was the conclusion of researchers who examined resource use by 1,840 children and teenagers in an HMO. Thirteen percent of the children had a psychosocial disorder and 18% had a chronic illness. The cost of medical services was about twice as high in children with psychosocial disorders and three times higher in children with chronic illness. Young children incurred the highest costs.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: