RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 First estimates of the potential cost and cost saving of protecting childhood hearing from damage caused by congenital CMV infection
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP F501
OP F506
DO 10.1136/archdischild-2014-306756
VO 100
IS 6
A1 Eleri J Williams
A1 Joanne Gray
A1 Suzanne Luck
A1 Claire Atkinson
A1 Nicholas D Embleton
A1 Seilesh Kadambari
A1 Adrian Davis
A1 Paul Griffiths
A1 Mike Sharland
A1 Janet E Berrington
A1 Julia E Clark
YR 2015
UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/100/6/F501.abstract
AB 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.