[The cost of newborns transportation to the referral centers in comparison to the cost of the transport in-utero].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to estimate the costs of newborns transportation to the referral center, due to congenital malformation and to compare theses costs with transfer in utero, after detection of anomalies by screening ultrasound.


METHODS
Analysis of newborns data from Pediatric Cardiology Clinic and Intensive Therapy Clinic from the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital (2000-2002). Ambulance transportation, helicopter transportation and air-plane transportation were calculated and compared with the costs of three ultrasound seans per pregnancy.


RESULTS
Transfer in utero was 5 x cheaper than newborns transportation by ambulance, 28 x cheaper than by helicopter and 42 x cheaper than by air-plane.


CONCLUSIONS
Assuming that only every second congenital malformation would be detected prenatally by ultrasound, Polish Health System could safe circa 13 min złotych.
Respondek-Liberska
Maria
M
Sysa
Andrzej
A
Gadzinowski
Janusz
J
D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data