Inpatient Hospitalization Charges for Children With Birth Defects in Texas, 2021–2023

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Abstract
Introduction: Children with birth defects often require complex medical care, contributing to increased healthcare costs. Understanding the economic burden of birth defects is important for resource planning, but recent Texas‐specific data are lacking. Methods: A retrospective data analysis was conducted using the Texas Hospital Inpatient Discharge Public Use Data File (PUDF) for all pediatric discharges (ages 0–17 years) documented between 2021 and 2023. We identified hospitalizations with birth defects based on the presence of an ICD‐10 code (Q00‐Q99) in any of the 26 diagnosis code fields. Median inflation‐adjusted hospitalization charges were calculated for hospitalizations with and without birth defects and were then stratified by characteristics of interest. Median charges were compared using the Wilcoxon‐rank sum test. Among hospitalizations of children with a birth defect in the principal diagnosis code field, charges were examined by birth defect phenotype. A sub‐analysis assessed charges for hospitalizations that occurred primarily in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Results: In Texas, 12.5% of all pediatric hospitalizations were for children with a birth defect. Aggregate total charges for these hospitalizations exceeded $26 billion and comprised 34.9% of all pediatric hospitalization charges. Hospitalizations for children with a birth defect had significantly higher median charges ($12,876 vs. $7,813) compared to hospitalizations for children without birth defects ( p < 0.001). Higher charges were observed for hospitalizations among several subgroups (e.g., ICU hospitalizations). Conclusion: Inpatient hospitalization charges for children with birth defects had a disproportionately high impact on hospitalization charges in Texas.
Funding Information
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NU50DD000102)
  • Maternal and Child Health Bureau

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