[Costs directly related to acute lower respiratory tract infections in the pediatric hospital milieu].

The purpose of this retrospective study carried out by 1997 in two paediatric units of Antananarivo: paediatric unit of the General hospital of Befelatanana (Marfan) and paediatric unit of the Hospital Center of Soavinandriana (CI), was to evaluate direct service costs for an hospitalization of a child affected by lower acute airway diseases. In the first unit, there is partial charge, in the second, there is full charge. Direct services were continued by complementary tests, therapy and meals. The length of the hospitalization changes according to the cause and the severity of diseases. Average direct service costs were of 19 and 38 US$ respectively. Maximum direct service costs were of 77 and 154 US$ respectively. Amounts of direct service costs were crippled especially by inappropriate use of antibiotics.