TY - JOUR T1 - Palivizumab for preterm infants. Is it worth it? JF - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition JO - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed SP - F286 LP - FF289 DO - 10.1136/adc.2004.058081 VL - 90 IS - 4 AU - N D Embleton AU - C Harkensee AU - M C Mckean Y1 - 2005/07/01 UR - http://fn.bmj.com/content/90/4/F286.abstract N2 - 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. ER -