OBJECTIVES : To describe the tendency of annual direct medical cost average for pediatric pulmonary hypertension health care in NMCISSSTE, Mexico.

METHODS : A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records from a pediatric cardiology service at NMC ISSSTE, Mexico City. All patients who had PPH included were aged under 18 years. Clinical and economic variables were collected; direct healthcare costs were medical visits, hospitalization days, emergency visits, diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and medication. Prescriptions (acute, chronic, or upon request) were quantified based on mean dosage/patient, all resources used was obtained directly from patient´s charts and prices were obtained from www. compranet.funcionpublica.gob.mx. A descriptive analysis was performed, included mean, standard deviation and 95% confidence interval were done. A log linear regression model was done, p value >0.05 was consider statistically significant. The cost was expressed in USD (1USD =$18.8113 Mx, www. banxico.org Jan 2018).

RESULTS : Fifty four pediatric pulmonary hypertension patients all of them treated with bosentan (52% males), the mean of age at diagnosis was 7.9±5.45 years and median follow-up 4 years, the average cost total annual cost/follow up was $89,024.47, the average first and second annual cost were $ 37,166.16, $24,674.41 respectively, costs kept tendency to go down, the average was $9,552.42 for third, fourth and fifth years. In generalized linear model analysis, the annual direct medical costs were predicted by functional class improved and hospitalizations decreases (p<0.000 y p=0.043 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS : The decrease tendency in total direct medical cost was associated with functional class improvement and decrease in hospitalization number