Acute respiratory infections in children of day care center: characteristics and costs

The clinical profile of respiratory infections in 140 children who attend a day care center was described in a prospective study and direct costs were estimated. The costs estimation included diagnostic procedures, laboratory exams, drugs, kinesitherapy, parents' absenteeism, medical certificates and hospitalization. Two hundred and two respiratory episodes in 90 (64.2%) children, 75 (37.1%) in 30 infants and 127 (62.8%) in 60 toddlers were analyzed. There were 61.3% lower respiratory infections in infants versus 39.4% in toddlers (p < 0.002). Antimicrobials were prescribed in 42.6% of the medical attendance. Infants represent major costs regarding medical consultations, kinesitherapy, laboratory tests and refunds for medical certificates or leave of absence (p < 0.001). The mean global cost of a respiratory infection was US $ 129,3 for infants and US $ 53,0 for toddlers (p < 0.001). This situation needs the development of an intervention program.