DIRECT COSTS OF HOSPITAL MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH ACUTE CHEMICAL POISONING IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Abstract

Introduction. Acute chemical poisoning (ACP) in children is an important public health problem with an economic impact on the healthcare system.

Aim. To quantify and analyze the direct costs of hospital medical care provided to children with ACP in the Republic of Moldova.

Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis of individual costs was conducted for pediatric patients hospitalized at the Mother and Child Institute (MCI) during 2021–2023, using the case-mix index and annual contracting tariffs of the National Health Insurance Company. Separately, for 2019–2024, national data reported through Statistical Form No. 18 were analyzed, and direct expenditures were estimated using a reference mean cost of MDL 7,379.66 per case, calculated as the arithmetic mean of the annual mean costs in the MCI cohort for 2021–2023.

Results. In the MCI cohort, total costs increased from MDL 614,115.68 for 131 cases in 2021 to MDL 1,251,570.81 for 124 cases in 2023, while pharmaceutical poisonings consistently represented the category with the highest total expenditures. Nationwide, 4,606 pediatric ACP cases were reported during 2019–2024, for which direct expenditures were estimated at MDL 33,990,714.

Conclusions. ACP in children is associated with relevant healthcare expenditures. In the analyzed hospital cohort, pharmaceutical poisonings represented the main expenditure category. The findings support strengthening preventive measures.