Vitamin A cost-effective for preventing chronic lung disease in premature infants: Study

Colombia: Vitamin A is cost-effective for reducing the incidence rate of chronic lung disease in premature infants, according to an economic evaluation. The study, published in the journal Pediatric Pulmonology, provides evidence that should be utilized to improve clinical practice guidelines by decision-makers. 

Vitamin A is a group of fat-soluble compounds required by the body for regulating and promoting the growth and differentiation of many cells, including cells that line the air passages in the lungs and cells in the retina of the eye. At birth, preterm infants have low levels of vitamin A. This may contribute to an increased risk of developing chronic lung disease. Despite growing evidence on efficacy, not much is known about the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for decreasing the probability of chronic lung disease in preterm infants.

Against the above background, Jefferson Antonio Buendía, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia, and colleagues, aimed to determine the cost-utility of Vitamin A to prevent chronic lung disease in preterm infants in Colombia.

For this purpose, the researchers used a decision tree model to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of vitamin A supplementation in preterm infants. To evaluate the robustness of the model, multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) value of US$5180.