Atopic dermatitis in children: who cares? Who pays?
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis is an important cause of morbidity in children of all ages. Despite its high prevalence, there has been no examination of ways in which care for atopic dermatitis is delivered.


OBJECTIVE
This study reviewed the costs for care of childhood atopic dermatitis in an urban setting and estimated the national cost for treatment of the disease.


METHODS
We used data from one children's hospital to study the use of the emergency room for atopic dermatitis and used national data sets to estimate the cost of care in the United States.


RESULTS
A large proportion of visits occur in the emergency department, during daytime office hours, and mostly by patients who have public insurance. The total national cost for treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis is $364 million annually, which is a conservative estimate.


CONCLUSIONS
Given its high prevalence, associated morbidity, and cost, resources must be better allocated to improve the organization of care for patients with atopic dermatitis.
Lapidus
C S
CS
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Schwarz
D F
DF
Honig
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000191:economics*; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000191:economics; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States