Short and long-term costs among women experiencing preterm labour or preterm birth: the German experience

摘要

BackgroundPreterm labour and birth (PTL/PTB) is characterised by major health and developmental risks for children, life–changing consequences for their families, and substantial healthcare and economic challenges for wider society. While it is known that PTL/PTB impacts infant healthcare costs in the short and long term in Germany, maternal costs have not been described in detail. The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe costs and resource use among PTL/PTB mothers during pregnancy, at hospitalisation for delivery, and up to three years after delivery—overall and according to gestational age (GA) at delivery.