Financial Implications for Families of Newborns Admitted in a Tertiary Care Neonatal Unit in Northern India

Abstract

Background Admission of a newborn to neonatal intensive care unit is very stressful for family and poses significant financial burden. Aim To estimate the cost of neonatal care in a tertiary care level institution in northern India. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 4 months at a 30-bedded level III neonatal unit in a tertiary care institute in north India. Data was collected from a self-written diaries by parents of all neonates admitted in the unit. The cost analysis included direct hospital cost and additional expenditure by families during entire hospital stay. Results A total of 135 newborns (86 males) were enrolled in this study. 60 babies required Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. The median total expenditure incurred in study cohort was US$172 (IQR 83.5–546.3); median duration of hospital stay was 7 (IQR 5–16) days. The total expenditure per day for babies with Neonatal intensive care unit stay was US$32.7 (IQR 23.5–48). The direct hospital charges amounted to approximately 3/4th of total expenditure, while rest 1/4th was additional cost incurred upon family. Conclusion The cost of care of a sick newborn in public sector hospital of India is substantial. Additional expenditure apart from direct cost of treatment contributes significantly to the financial burden.