Hospitalizations in Australian children with neuroblastoma: A population‐based study

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of children diagnosed with both low‐ and high‐risk neuroblastoma are surviving. Yet, treatment can be intensive and often multimodal, especially for high‐risk neuroblastoma, resulting in significant long‐term health problems. We aimed to describe neuroblastoma survivors' pediatric hospitalizations, readmissions, and their associated costs. METHOD: We conducted a population‐based study of all children (<18 years) residing in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and hospitalized with a recorded diagnosis of neuroblastoma during 2001–2020. We used linked NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection and death registration data to examine the frequency, length of stay, and readmissions following the first admission when neuroblastoma was diagnosed (i.e., the index admission), and the associated hospitalization costs by age and timing postindex admission discharge. RESULTS: In total, 300 children (64% aged <3 years) were hospitalized for neuroblastoma over the study period. The median number of readmissions and length of stay within 2 years postdischarge were 17 (interquartile range IQR: 5.5–25) and 45.5 (IQR: 10–125) days, and median cost per child was AUD$124,058 (IQR $34,217–$264,627). Following discharge from the index admission, there were 7088 readmissions (median: 20 per child, IQR: 7–29). Fifty‐eight percent of readmissions occurred within 1‐year postdischarge, primarily due to fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and respiratory conditions. CONCLUSION: The burden of health problems requiring hospitalization among neuroblastoma survivors results in significant associated healthcare costs, warranting further efforts to optimize health care for neuroblastoma survivors that focuses on early intervention and long‐term monitoring.