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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access published online on December 9, 2008
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, doi:10.1093/tropej/fmn107
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© The Author [2008]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

The Economic Burden of Preterm/Very Low Birth Weight Care in Nigeria

O. O. Tongo, A. E. Orimadegun, S. O. Ajayi and O. O. Akinyinka

Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Correspondence: Prof O.O. Akinyinka, Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail <asegun{at}hotmail.com>.


  Abstract

The care of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates may impose an enormous burden on professional resources and finances of caregivers. This study seeks to evaluate the immediate cost of care of VLBW babies in a developing economy. Twenty-four hospital case records VLBW babies who survived till discharge over a 1 year period at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria were reviewed. Estimates of the out of pocket costs of managing these babies were calculated. The overall cost of hospital care ranged from US$211.1 to US$1573.9. The direct (median) and indirect (median) cost of care ranged from US$80 to US$1055 (US$247.3) and US$101.0 to US$1128.1 (US$257.2), respectively. These constituted 22.8% and 3966.3% (median 133.4%) of the combined family income. In conclusion, the cost of care of the VLBW deliveries in Nigeria is very high for the level of the economy and constitutes a major financial burden on the family.


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