PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - N D Embleton
AU  - C Harkensee
AU  - M C Mckean
TI  - Palivizumab for preterm infants. Is it worth it?
AID  - 10.1136/adc.2004.058081
DP  - 2005 Jul 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
PG  - F286--FF289
VI  - 90
IP  - 4
4099  - http://fn.bmj.com/content/90/4/F286.short
4100  - http://fn.bmj.com/content/90/4/F286.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed2005 Jul 01; 90
AB  - Respiratory syncytial virus infection is an important cause of morbidity. Although palivizumab prophylaxis is widely used, it is uncertain whether the cost is justified. A systematic review was therefore performed of the safety, efficacy, and the likely cost effectiveness of prophylaxis for preterm infants in the United Kingdom using a standard search strategy. The only randomised controlled trial identified showed a reduction in hospital admission but no benefit on more serious outcomes. None of the United Kingdom cost studies showed economic benefit for palivizumab prophylaxis. New treatments are rarely cost effective, and, in the absence of a comprehensive economic assessment, continued use for high risk infants may appear justified.