Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study

Abstract Background An increasing number of children diagnosed with both low‐ and high‐risk neuroblastoma are surviving. Yet, treatment can be intensive and often multimodal, especially for high‐risk neuroblastoma, resulting in significant long‐term health problems. We aimed to describe neuroblastom...

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Main Authors: C. Signorelli, F. J. Schneuer, C. E. Wakefield, J. K. McLoone, T. Trahair, R. J. Cohn, N. Nassar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-05-01
Series:Cancer Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5806
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author C. Signorelli
F. J. Schneuer
C. E. Wakefield
J. K. McLoone
T. Trahair
R. J. Cohn
N. Nassar
author_facet C. Signorelli
F. J. Schneuer
C. E. Wakefield
J. K. McLoone
T. Trahair
R. J. Cohn
N. Nassar
author_sort C. Signorelli
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background An increasing number of children diagnosed with both low‐ and high‐risk neuroblastoma are surviving. Yet, treatment can be intensive and often multimodal, especially for high‐risk neuroblastoma, resulting in significant long‐term health problems. We aimed to describe neuroblastoma survivors' pediatric hospitalizations, readmissions, and their associated costs. Method We conducted a population‐based study of all children (<18 years) residing in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and hospitalized with a recorded diagnosis of neuroblastoma during 2001–2020. We used linked NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection and death registration data to examine the frequency, length of stay, and readmissions following the first admission when neuroblastoma was diagnosed (i.e., the index admission), and the associated hospitalization costs by age and timing postindex admission discharge. Results In total, 300 children (64% aged <3 years) were hospitalized for neuroblastoma over the study period. The median number of readmissions and length of stay within 2 years postdischarge were 17 (interquartile range IQR: 5.5–25) and 45.5 (IQR: 10–125) days, and median cost per child was AUD$124,058 (IQR $34,217–$264,627). Following discharge from the index admission, there were 7088 readmissions (median: 20 per child, IQR: 7–29). Fifty‐eight percent of readmissions occurred within 1‐year postdischarge, primarily due to fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and respiratory conditions. Conclusion The burden of health problems requiring hospitalization among neuroblastoma survivors results in significant associated healthcare costs, warranting further efforts to optimize health care for neuroblastoma survivors that focuses on early intervention and long‐term monitoring.
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spelling doaj.art-d9af4b1732f24c89b52333b22c1667892023-05-28T20:33:59ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342023-05-01129109391094910.1002/cam4.5806Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based studyC. Signorelli0F. J. Schneuer1C. E. Wakefield2J. K. McLoone3T. Trahair4R. J. Cohn5N. Nassar6Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital New South Wales Randwick AustraliaFaculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney New South Wales Sydney AustraliaKids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital New South Wales Randwick AustraliaKids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital New South Wales Randwick AustraliaKids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital New South Wales Randwick AustraliaKids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital New South Wales Randwick AustraliaFaculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney New South Wales Sydney AustraliaAbstract Background An increasing number of children diagnosed with both low‐ and high‐risk neuroblastoma are surviving. Yet, treatment can be intensive and often multimodal, especially for high‐risk neuroblastoma, resulting in significant long‐term health problems. We aimed to describe neuroblastoma survivors' pediatric hospitalizations, readmissions, and their associated costs. Method We conducted a population‐based study of all children (<18 years) residing in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and hospitalized with a recorded diagnosis of neuroblastoma during 2001–2020. We used linked NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection and death registration data to examine the frequency, length of stay, and readmissions following the first admission when neuroblastoma was diagnosed (i.e., the index admission), and the associated hospitalization costs by age and timing postindex admission discharge. Results In total, 300 children (64% aged <3 years) were hospitalized for neuroblastoma over the study period. The median number of readmissions and length of stay within 2 years postdischarge were 17 (interquartile range IQR: 5.5–25) and 45.5 (IQR: 10–125) days, and median cost per child was AUD$124,058 (IQR $34,217–$264,627). Following discharge from the index admission, there were 7088 readmissions (median: 20 per child, IQR: 7–29). Fifty‐eight percent of readmissions occurred within 1‐year postdischarge, primarily due to fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and respiratory conditions. Conclusion The burden of health problems requiring hospitalization among neuroblastoma survivors results in significant associated healthcare costs, warranting further efforts to optimize health care for neuroblastoma survivors that focuses on early intervention and long‐term monitoring.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5806Australiachildrencosthospitalizationsprevalence
spellingShingle C. Signorelli
F. J. Schneuer
C. E. Wakefield
J. K. McLoone
T. Trahair
R. J. Cohn
N. Nassar
Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study
Cancer Medicine
Australia
children
cost
hospitalizations
prevalence
title Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study
title_full Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study
title_fullStr Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study
title_full_unstemmed Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study
title_short Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study
title_sort hospitalizations in australian children with neuroblastoma a population based study
topic Australia
children
cost
hospitalizations
prevalence
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5806
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