[Acute respiratory infections in children of day care center: characteristics and costs].
The clinical profile of respiratory infections in 140 children who attend a day care center was described in a prospective study and direct costs were estimated. The costs estimation included diagnostic procedures, laboratory exams, drugs, kinesitherapy, parents' absenteeism, medical certificates and hospitalization. Two hundred and two respiratory episodes in 90 (64.2%) children, 75 (37.1%) in 30 infants and 127 (62.8%) in 60 toddlers were analyzed. There were 61.3% lower respiratory infections in infants versus 39.4% in toddlers (p < 0.002). Antimicrobials were prescribed in 42.6% of the medical attendance. Infants represent major costs regarding medical consultations, kinesitherapy, laboratory tests and refunds for medical certificates or leave of absence (p < 0.001). The mean global cost of a respiratory infection was US $ 129,3 for infants and US $ 53,0 for toddlers (p < 0.001). This situation needs the development of an intervention program.
Delpiano M
Luis
L
Servicio Pediatría, Hospital Clínico San Borja, Arriarán, Chile. ludelpia@vtr.net
Kabalán B
Paola
P
Díaz V
Constanza
C
Pinto I
Andrea
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents