Abstract
Objective The aim of this article is to examine characteristics of birth tourism (BT) neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods This was a retrospective review over 3 years; BT cases were identified, and relevant perinatal, medical, social, and financial data were collected and compared with 100 randomly selected non–birth tourism neonates. Results A total of 46 BT neonates were identified. They were more likely to be born to older women (34 vs. 29 years; p < 0.001), via cesarean delivery (72 vs. 48%; p = 0.007), and at a referral facility (80 vs. 32%; p < 0.001). BT group had longer hospital stay (15 vs. 7 days; p = 0.02), more surgical intervention (50 vs. 21%; p < 0.001), and higher hospital charges (median $287,501 vs. $103,105; p = 0.003). One-third of BT neonates were enrolled in public health insurance program and four BT neonates (10%) were placed for adoption. Conclusion Families of BT neonates admitted to the NICU face significant challenges. Larger studies are needed to better define impacts on families, health care system, and society.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | American Journal of Perinatology |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Mar 24 2016 |
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Keywords
- birth tourism
- children's hospital
- neonatal intensive care
- neonate
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cite this
Birth Tourism and Neonatal Intensive Care : A Children's Hospital Experience. / Mikhael, Michel; Cleary, John P.; Dhar, Vijay; Chen, Yanjun; Nguyen, Danh V.; Chang, Anthony C.
In: American Journal of Perinatology, 24.03.2016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Birth Tourism and Neonatal Intensive Care
T2 - A Children's Hospital Experience
AU - Mikhael, Michel
AU - Cleary, John P.
AU - Dhar, Vijay
AU - Chen, Yanjun
AU - Nguyen, Danh V.
AU - Chang, Anthony C.
PY - 2016/3/24
Y1 - 2016/3/24
N2 - Objective The aim of this article is to examine characteristics of birth tourism (BT) neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods This was a retrospective review over 3 years; BT cases were identified, and relevant perinatal, medical, social, and financial data were collected and compared with 100 randomly selected non–birth tourism neonates. Results A total of 46 BT neonates were identified. They were more likely to be born to older women (34 vs. 29 years; p < 0.001), via cesarean delivery (72 vs. 48%; p = 0.007), and at a referral facility (80 vs. 32%; p < 0.001). BT group had longer hospital stay (15 vs. 7 days; p = 0.02), more surgical intervention (50 vs. 21%; p < 0.001), and higher hospital charges (median $287,501 vs. $103,105; p = 0.003). One-third of BT neonates were enrolled in public health insurance program and four BT neonates (10%) were placed for adoption. Conclusion Families of BT neonates admitted to the NICU face significant challenges. Larger studies are needed to better define impacts on families, health care system, and society.
AB - Objective The aim of this article is to examine characteristics of birth tourism (BT) neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods This was a retrospective review over 3 years; BT cases were identified, and relevant perinatal, medical, social, and financial data were collected and compared with 100 randomly selected non–birth tourism neonates. Results A total of 46 BT neonates were identified. They were more likely to be born to older women (34 vs. 29 years; p < 0.001), via cesarean delivery (72 vs. 48%; p = 0.007), and at a referral facility (80 vs. 32%; p < 0.001). BT group had longer hospital stay (15 vs. 7 days; p = 0.02), more surgical intervention (50 vs. 21%; p < 0.001), and higher hospital charges (median $287,501 vs. $103,105; p = 0.003). One-third of BT neonates were enrolled in public health insurance program and four BT neonates (10%) were placed for adoption. Conclusion Families of BT neonates admitted to the NICU face significant challenges. Larger studies are needed to better define impacts on families, health care system, and society.
KW - birth tourism
KW - children's hospital
KW - neonatal intensive care
KW - neonate
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U2 - 10.1055/s-0036-1584139
DO - 10.1055/s-0036-1584139
M3 - Article
JO - American Journal of Perinatology
JF - American Journal of Perinatology
SN - 0735-1631
ER -