Economic Evaluation of the Use of Cefotaxime and Ceftazidime in the Treatment of Pneumonia in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

The prevalence of pneumonia is particularly high among pediatric patients. Appropriate antibiotics
selection is required to reduce mortality and morbidity rates associated with these
diseases. However, information on cost-effectiveness of empirical antibiotics treatment for
pneumonia was limited. This study was aimed to evaluate cost-effectiveness of cefotaxime
and ceftazidime for pneumonia in pediatric patients. This study was a retrospective cross
sectional study conducted at a hospital in Bandung during January-December 2012. Data
were derived from medical records of pediatric pneumonia inpatients during study period.
Cost was calculated based on direct medical cost, i.e., inpatient care, medical support, and
medicines that were used from admission until hospital discharge. The results showed that
there was no statistical difference in the average medical cost of the treatment using cefotaxime
(1,197,017 IDR) and ceftazidime (2,245,748 IDR). Incremental cost effectiveness
ratio (ICER) showed that cefotaxime is more cost effective than ceftazidime with greater
reduction of leukocytes level (576 IDR/mm3 ). The use of cefotaxime is recommended for
the treatment of pnuemonia in pediatric patients.

Keywords: cost minimization, cost effectiveness, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, pneumonia