Hospitalization Cost per Case of Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection From Claims Data 1234

•There were 150 neonate admissions with herpes simplex virus (HSV) diagnosis.•Approximately half (n = 73) were admitted for > 7 days.•Mean excess cost was $40,044 [$33,529–$47,775] for those admitted > 7 days.•$23,918 [$19,490–$29,282] for admissions lasting 8–13 days;•$44,358 [$34,654–$56,673] for14–21 days; $68,916 [$49,905–$94,967]) for > 21 days.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the average excess inpatient cost of neonatal herpes simplex virus (NHSV) infection from 2005 to 2009 insurance claims data. The estimated adjusted average excess inpatient cost for neonate admissions with HSV diagnosis and > 7 days of hospitalization was $40,044 [95% confidence interval (CI), $33,529–$47,775]. When disaggregated by the days of admission, cost estimates were: 8–13 days, $23,918 [CI, $19,490–$29,282]; 14–21 days, $44,358 [CI, $34,654–$56,673]; > 21 days, $68,916 [CI, $49,905–$94,967]). Although these estimates are not representative of the entire US, they can inform future economic evaluation studies on NHSV interventions.