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. 2013 Oct;3(4):335-41.
doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2013-0036.

Practice Variance, Prevalence, and Economic Burden of Premature Infants Diagnosed With GERD

Sudarshan R Jadcherla  1 , Jonathan L Slaughter, Michael R Stenger, Mark Klebanoff, Kelly Kelleher, William Gardner
Affiliations

Practice Variance, Prevalence, and Economic Burden of Premature Infants Diagnosed With GERD

Sudarshan R Jadcherla et al. Hosp Pediatr. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the practice variance, prevalence, and economic burden of clinically diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in preterm infants.

Methods: Applying a retrospective cohort study design, we analyzed data from 18 567 preterm infants of 22 to 36 weeks' gestation and >400 g birth weight from the NICUs of 33 freestanding children's hospitals in the United States. GERD prevalence, comorbidities, and demographic factors were examined for their association with average length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization cost.

Results: Overall, 10.3% of infants received a diagnosis of GERD (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.8-10.7). There was a 13-fold variation in GERD rates across hospitals (P < .001). GERD diagnosis was significantly (P < .05) associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis, as well as congenital anomalies and decreased birth weight. GERD diagnosis was associated with $70 489 (95% CI: 62 184-78 794) additional costs per discharge and 29.9 additional days in LOS (95% CI: 27.3-32.5).

Conclusions: One in 10 of these premature NICU infants were diagnosed with GERD, which is associated with substantially increased LOS and elevated costs. Better diagnostic and management strategies are needed to evaluate reflux-type symptoms in this vulnerable NICU population.

Keywords: GERD; economic burden; length of stay; neonate.

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Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Rates of diagnosis of GERD across participating PHIS hospitals. Each dot represents a data point with upper and lower 95% CIs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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