To Örebro University

This study aimed to establish the cost‑effectiveness of home phototherapy versus hospitalphototherapy treating hyperbilirubinemia in neonates more than 36 weeks. Based on clinical resultsfrom a randomised controlled trial showing that home phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia in termneonates is as effective as hospital phototherapy, we performed a cost‑minimisation analysis toidentify the most cost‑effective alternative. We included costs for health care resource use as wellas costs for transportation in connection with re‑visits. The cost per patient was €337 for homephototherapy compared with €1156 for the hospital alternative indicating average cost savingsof €819 (95% confidence interval €613–1025) or 71% per patient. Transportation and outpatientcosts were higher in the home treatment group and hospital care costs were higher in the hospitalgroup. Sensitivity analysis shows that results are robust also when allowing for uncertainty. Homephototherapy for neonates more than 36 weeks costs less than in‑hospital phototherapy whilebeing equally effective, meaning that home phototherapy is a cost‑effective alternative to hospitaltreatment for infants with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.