REPORT SCOPE
INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis and forecast of the pediatric healthcare market. The focus is on scope of the market, including short-term and chronic illnesses; products and procedures currently available; and research regarding future treatments such as pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and therapies.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
Children often suffer from acute short-term illnesses such as chronic upper respiratory or ear infections, gastrointestinal illness accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, or injury-related problems. Some children, however, develop significant chronic illnesses that last for years or for their lifetimes. Some result from genetic or inherited conditions, others from environmental factors. Prenatal care for the mother and fetus is especially important as exposure to tobacco smoke, alcohol, and other toxins can significantly affect a baby’s health.
Pediatricians are confronted with a variety of short-term illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses on a daily basis. While these illnesses are transient in nature, they also present a significant drain on time and financial resources for parents and others involved with the primary care of the child.
While most short-term illnesses are treatable and subside within 1 to 5 days, chronic illnesses are far more costly and damaging for the children, their families, and other caregivers. Chronic illnesses covered in this report include respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergies; cystic fibrosis; diabetes; obesity; malnutrition; cerebral palsy; neurological illnesses such as attention deficient/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and epilepsy/seizures; as well as illnesses as a consequence of low birth weight.
The report will investigate the market for treatments of acute short-term illnesses such as colds and flu, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and immunizations, and it will investigate the most significant chronic illnesses in the pediatric population. Treatment protocols and markets for products and services for each condition will be reported. The report will also identify the implications for chronic pediatric illnesses within various ethnicities including the African-American, Hispanic, and Asian communities.
Emerging technologies may be includedin the study if they appeared to be commercially significant by 2008.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
This study provides a broad background on the structure of the pediatric healthcare market and the chief issues it faces. It offers the information needed to understand the current market and to address the emerging one.
This is an invaluable tool for business planners, acquisitions specialists, licensing strategists, product managers, market research analysts, investor consultants, and others interested in the pediatric healthcare market, its products, participants, and future.
SCOPE OF REPORT
This report offers forecasts—by product segment—from 2008 through 2013, including supporting analyses for projections. Projections are presented in constant 2008 U.S. dollars.
Product segments covered consist of respiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal areas, including the pharmaceuticals that accompany each market. Products within the pharmaceutical pipeline and research into alternative treatment modalities such as herbal formulations are also included. International markets are discussed, and information is provided on industry structure.
Profiles of leading companies involved with pediatric care are provided. Information on company placement within the market and strategic analyses of the company’s available and emerging products is discussed.
INFORMATION SOURCES
Both primary and secondary research sources were used in preparing this research report, including an extensive literature review of medical and governmental sources; information from industry representatives, government personnel, and scientists within companies developing and marketing products; U.S. government data; industry professional organizations; and company reports.
Information for this report was obtained from industry analysts; the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other government agencies; the American Association of Pediatricians; the American Association of Physician Assistants; the American Medical Association; the World Health Organization (WHO); literature searches; company annual reports and 10Ks; and product literature.
ANALYST'S CREDENTIALS
Peggy. S. Lehr is the BCC Research analyst of this report. Ms. Lehr has worked with nursing and medical not-for-profit organizationa and for-profit business publications. She specialized in marketing reports for the medical industry. Previous reports for BCC Research include market research reports that covered medical diagnostic kits, and organ and tissue transplantation.
