Palivizumab for Infants < 29 Weeks in Hong Kong without a Clear-Cut Season for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection-A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

J Trop Pediatr. 2018 Oct 1;64(5):418-425. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmx086.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of palivizumab prophylaxis for premature infants born <29 weeks in Hong Kong.

Method: We evaluated the hospitalization rate for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection within the first 12 months of discharge of a cohort of preterm infants born between 2010 and 2014 at two local hospitals.

Results: In total, 40 of 135 infants were given palivizumab. The hospitalization rate for premature infants <29 weeks was reduced from 15.8 to 5% (p = 0.096) and that for infants <27 weeks was reduced from 33.3 to 8.7% (p = 0.046). In the former group, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per hospital admission prevented (ICER/HAP) was US dollar (USD) 24 365. In the latter subgroup, the ICER/HAP was USD 3108.

Conclusion: The cost-effectiveness as measured for infants <27 weeks is more favorable than that for infants <29 weeks.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / economics*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cost of Illness
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Drug Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Hong Kong
  • Hospitalization / economics
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / economics*
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data
  • Length of Stay
  • Palivizumab / economics
  • Palivizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / economics*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / drug effects
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / immunology*
  • Seasons
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Palivizumab