TABLE 1.
Summarized data of included prescriptions (n = 348).
| Parameter | |
|---|---|
| Sex, n (%) | |
| Male | 184 (52.9) |
| Female | 164 (47.1) |
| Median age (IQR; min, max) | 5.08 (2 months - 46 years; 1 day, 76 years) |
| Age class, n (%) | |
| Preterm neonates (<37-weeks PMA up to 1 month) | 21 (6.0) |
| Term neonates (≥37-weeks PMA up to 1 month) | 55 (15.8) |
| Infants (1 month up to 2 years) | 61 (17.5) |
| Children (2 years up to 12 years) | 57 (16.4) |
| Adolescents (12–18 years) | 20 (5.7) |
| Adult (≥18 years) | 134 (38.5) |
| Ethnic group, n (%) | |
| Bumiputera a | 264 (75.9) |
| Chinese | 68 (19.5) |
| Indians | 8 (2.3) |
| Others b | 8 (2.3) |
| Ward settings, n (%) | |
| Critical care units | 155 (44.5) |
| Daycare units | 71 (20.4) |
| General wards | 122 (35.1) |
| Total grams of IVIG used, grams | 15,652.5 |
| 2.5 g/50 ml bottle, grams | 10,537.5 |
| 3.0 g/50 ml bottle, grams | 5115.0 |
| Total cost c | MYR 3,698,529 (885,218 USD) |
PMA, post-menstrual age; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; MYR, malaysian ringgit.
a
Bumiputera includes Malays (n = 260) and the natives from Sabah (n = 3) and Sarawak (n = 1).
b
Others include non-Malaysian citizens.
c
Total cost calculation was based on the mean cost of IVIG, of MYR236.29 (57 USD) per Gram.