Objective: Compare neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization costs between neonates with and without AKI; identify predictors of AKI-associated costs. We hypothesized neonates with AKI would amass more costs than those without AKI.
Study design: Retrospective, multicenter cohort study of surviving neonates cared for 2015-2021 in Pediatric Health Information System database. The primary outcome was estimated hospitalization costs.
Results: Data from 304,725 neonates were evaluated, 8774 (3%) with AKI and 295,951 (97%) without AKI. Neonates with AKI had $58,807 greater adjusted costs than those without AKI. AKI-associated costs were most strongly driven by Feudtner Pediatric Complex Chronic Conditions Classifications (cardiovascaular, congenital/genetic, gastrointestinal, medical technology) and gestational age. Adjusted costs decreased with increasing gestational age, regardless of AKI status.
Conclusions: AKI is independently associated with increased hospital costs. Knowledge of these drivers can help in identifying high-value practices for cost mitigation strategies.
© 2024. The Author(s).