Bloodstream infections in a German paediatric oncology unit: prolongation of inpatient treatment and additional costs

Abstract

In this matched cohort study, clinical data from 43 paediatric cancer patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) were compared with 43 thoroughly matched control patients without BSI. BSI led to a median additional length of inpatient treatment of 12 days (IQR 8.5-16 days; P<0.001), accounting for median additional expenses of euro4400 (IQR, euro3145-5920) per case [6.970 US Dollar (IQR 4.938-9.294)]. Thus, BSI substantially increased financial resources required for inpatient treatment. These data compiled from a paediatric cancer unit may be utilized to estimate the cost-benefit ratio of targeted preventive measures.