Every year in the United States, an estimated 20,000 kids are hospitalized for flu-related complications. Previous studies have estimated the cost of a pediatric hospitalization for flu-related complications at $3,000 to $4,000. But researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) discovered an average hospitalization cost of two to three times that amount.
Researchers identified all patients hospitalized for the flu from 2000 to 2004 at CHOP. By examining hospital records and billing data, they compiled charges for all diagnostic tests, therapeutic interventions, supplies, and room fees. Using this information, they estimated the total cost of flu-related illness.
Over the 4-year study period, 745 patients were hospitalized for flu-related complications. The average cost of hospitalization was more than $13,000; costs for children and teens admitted to the intensive care unit averaged close to $40,000. More than three quarters of the kids hospitalized were under 5 years old.
Two thirds of the kids hospitalized had chronic medical conditions that placed them at high risk for flu-related complications; asthma was the most prevalent high-risk condition. Overall, those at high risk for flu-related complications incurred an average of $15,269 per hospital stay compared with $9,107 on average for kids at low risk.
What This Means to You
Immunizing kids against the flu, especially those in high-risk groups, offers a cost-effective way to prevent illness and hospitalization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu shot for healthy children from 6 months of age through the 5th birthday. They also recommend the shot for any child between 6 months and 18 years of age with any of the following conditions:
- asthma or other lung problems
- immune suppression
- chronic kidney disease
- heart disease
- HIV/AIDS
- diabetes
- sickle cell anemia
- on long-term aspirin therapy
For more information on whether your child should get a flu shot, talk to your doctor.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2006
Source: Ron Keren, MD, MPH; Theoklis E. Zaoutis, MD, MSCE; Stephanie Saddlemire, MSPH; Xian Qun Luan, MS; Susan E. Coffin, MD, MPH; Pediatrics, November 2006.
