The Cost of Birth Defects: Estimates of the Value of Protection

This book uses an incidence approach to look at the economic repercussions of birth defects. The authors investigate eighteen of the most clinically significant birth defects affecting 35,000 newborns each year in our country. Their assessments suggest that the annual cost of these eighteen birth defects, together, is more than eight billion dollars (in 1992 dollars). The authors describe in detail their methodology and data sources while providing thorough accounts of each of the eighteen birth defects. Waitzman, Scheffler, and Romano break new ground by using reports from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program in order to provide cost estimates. They illustrate to the reader how cost estimates of specific birth defects can be used to justify prevention interventions and strategies. In chapter seven, they provide an important example, showing cost-benefit analysis of a program of folate supplementation of food to prevent neutral tube defects. Contents: List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
The Application of Cost-of-Illness Methodology To Birth Defects
The Direct Medical Costs of Birth Defects
Nonmedical Direct Costs of Birth Defects: Developmental Services and Special Education
The Indirect Costs of Birth Defects
Premature Mortality and Heightened Morbidity
An Assessment of Total Costs and Policy Implications
Description of Birth Defects
Description of Major Data Sources
Index.