Cost-analysis of Withdrawing Immunoprophylaxis for Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Infants Born at 33–35 Weeks Gestational Age in Quebec

Abstract

In 2015, the Quebec Ministry of Health limited palivizumab prophylaxis for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in premature infants to those born at <33 weeks gestational age (wGA), unless other indications were present. We compared RSV-related costs for 2 seasons before the change (2013-2014, 2014-2015) and 2 seasons after (2015-2016, 2016-2017) in premature infants 33-35 wGA. Using payer and societal perspectives, costs associated with hospitalizations for RSV and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants born at 33-35 wGA were estimated. Inputs were from a 2013-2017 retrospective cohort study in 25 Quebec hospitals of RSV/LRTI hospitalizations among infants <6 months old at the start of, or born during, the RSV season. Resource utilization data (hospital stay, procedures, visits, transportation, out-of-pocket expenses and work productivity) were collected from charts and parent interviews allowing estimation of direct and indirect costs. Costs, including palivizumab administration, were derived from provincial sources and adjusted to 2018 Canadian dollars. Costs were modeled for preterm infants hospitalized for RSV/LRTI pre- and postrevision of guidelines and with matched term infants hospitalized for RSV/LRTI during 2015-2017 (comparator). Average total direct and indirect costs for 33-35 wGA infants were higher postrevision of guidelines ($29,208/patient, 2015-2017; n = 130) compared with prerevision ($16,976/patient, 2013-2015; n = 105). Total costs were higher in preterm infants compared with term infants (n = 234) postrevision of guidelines ($29,208/patient vs. $10,291/patient). Immunoprophylaxis for RSV in infants born at 33-35 wGA held a cost advantage for hospitalizations due to RSV/LRTI.