Trends in the incidence, mortality, and cost of neonatal herpes simplex virus hospitalizations in the United States from 2003 to 2014

Abstract

Objective

To examine the temporal trends in the incidence and outcomes of neonatal herpes simplex infections (NHSV) in the United States. Study design

We conducted a retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Neonates ≤28 days old with ICD-9 codes for NHSV (054.xx) from 2003 to 2014 were included. Trends in the incidence, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and hospital cost were analyzed using Jonckheere–Terpstra test. Results

NHSV increased from 7.9 to 10 per 100,000 live births from 2003–05 to 2012–14 (P = 0.04). Hospital costs increased from $21,650 to $27,843; P < 0.001). The overall mortality rate and median LOS were 7.9% and 20 days, respectively and there were no significant variations across years during the study period. Conclusions

The incidence of NHSV in the United States increased between 2003 and 2014 without a significant change in mortality. NHSV remains a serious health threat and new and effective strategies to prevent NHSV are needed.