First estimates of the potential cost and cost saving of protecting childhood hearing from damage caused by congenital CMV infection

Williams, Eleri, Gray, Joanne, Luck, Suzanne, Atkinson, Claire, Embleton, Nicholas, Kadambari, Seilesh, Davis, Adrian, Griffiths, Paul, Sharland, Mike, Berrington, Janet and Clarke, Julie (2015) First estimates of the potential cost and cost saving of protecting childhood hearing from damage caused by congenital CMV infection. Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 100 (6). E501-E506. ISSN 1359-2998

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Abstract

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is an important cause of childhood deafness, which is modifiable if diagnosed within the first month of life. Targeted screening of infants who do not pass their newborn hearing screening tests in England is a feasible approach to identify and treat cases to improve hearing outcome.

Aims To conduct a cost analysis of targeted screening and subsequent treatment for cCMV-related sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in an, otherwise, asymptomatic infant, from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Methods Using data from the newborn hearing screening programme (NHSP) in England and a recent study of targeted screening for cCMV using salivary swabs within the NHSP, we estimate the cost (in UK pounds (£)) to the NHS. The cost of screening (time, swabs and PCR), assessing, treating and following up cases is calculated. The cost per case of preventing hearing deterioration secondary to cCMV with targeted screening is calculated.

Results The cost of identifying, assessing and treating a case of cCMV-related SNHL through targeted cCMV screening is estimated to be £6683. The cost of improving hearing outcome for an infant with cCMV-related SNHL through targeted screening and treatment is estimated at £14 202.

Conclusions The costs of targeted screening for cCMV using salivary swabs integrated within NHSP resulted in an estimate of cost per case that compares favourably with other screening programmes. This could be used in future studies to estimate the full economic value in terms of incremental costs and incremental health benefits.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	A100 Pre-clinical Medicine
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Nursing, Midwifery and Health Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Users 6424 not found.
Date Deposited:	24 Nov 2015 11:36
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2019 16:18
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/24726

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