have placed a value of $5,000,000 for the life of an infant for
even small reductions in mortality risk.27 Thus the economic
value of reduction in the risk of mortality due to NEC, given
by the formula (number of lives savedthe economic value of
life at birth), would be $US 1.6–2.3 billion. Also, the total
economic value incurred by the reduction in the risk of NEC,
considering the direct costs and mortality costs averted,
would be $US 1.8–2.5 billion.