Direct and Indirect Costs of Pediatric Gastroenteritis in Vellore, India.

Objective: To determine costs of pediatric gastroenteritis in out-patient and in-patient facilities. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of children with acute gastroenteritis attending out-patient clinic (n=30) or admitted in the ward (n=30) for management in the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India from July-September 2014 to estimate direct (drugs, tests, consultation/hospitalization) and indirect (travel, food, lost wages) costs associated with the episode. Results: Median direct and indirect costs were Rs 590 and Rs 190 for out-patient management and Rs 7258 and Rs. 610 for hospitalization, constituting 1.1% and 11% of median annual household income, respectively. Conclusions: Escalating healthcare costs need tracking for evaluation of interventions.