Evaluation of the cost of injuries in the pediatric population.

Cost analysis is a means of evaluating the public health burden caused by i njuries and the financial resources needed to care for injury victims. In F rance, data provided by the State Department for Health and the Paris Teach ing Hospital Network show that total direct costs of injuries in pediatric age groups account for 0.4% of total annual expenditures by the National He alth Insurance System. Although the direct cost per injury is 800 French Fr ancs (FF) on average, it varies widely according to the type of injury (up to 200 000 FF for burns requiring inhospital management), the site of the i njury on the body, and whether sequelae are present. Indirect costs (loss o f productivity and intangible costs) are higher than direct costs and vary with the consequences of the injury (residual impairment, incapacitation, d eath). Direct costs of pediatric injuries in France are similar to those in other countries. Indirect costs vary widely across countries according to the standards of living and the methods used to evaluate intangible costs. Results of a comparative cost/benefit ratio study provide orientation for a llocating resources to injury control.