ABSTRACT
Adequate neonatal transport is a key component in the care of newborn infants that require transfer. Objective. To determine the characteristics and risk of clinical deterioration during neonatal transport. Material and Methods. This was an observational and prospective study that consecutively included newborn infants transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Hospital Garrahan. The TRIPS (Transport Risk Index of Physiology Stability) risk score was measured pre- and post-transport. A diagnosis of clinical deterioration was made when the post-transport TRIPS score was higher than the pre-transport score. Newborns characteristics, transport distance, newborns status upon admission, need for immediate cardiorespiratory support (ICRS), and death before the 7th day and at discharge were recorded. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the associations with clinical deterioration . Results. A total of 160 transferred newborn infants were enrolled, gestational age (GA) was 35 ± 3 weeks; birth weight (BW) 2482 ± 904 g and median age 2 days. Most were referred due to cardiorespiratory (50%) or surgical (34%) illnesses. Of them, 91 (57%) had clinical deterioration and 46% hypothermia. Forty nine neonates required ICRS and 28 died (twelve before 7 days after admittance). Variables assessed were not associated with the risk of clinical deterioration. Mortality was higher in the group with clinical deterioration (OR: 3.34; 95% CI: 1.2-8.7), even when severity of the clinical picture was considered (OR A: 3; 95% CI: 1.2-8.3). Clinical deterioration during transport was associated with the need for ICRS (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2-5). Conclusions. In our experience transferred newborn infants often suffered loss of stability or clinical deterioration, regardless of their characteristics, and this was related to a higher mortality. Therefore, it is critical to optimize care strategies during all neonatal transports.
El traslado neonatal adecuado es clave en el cuidado de recién nacidos (RN) que requieren derivación. Objetivo. Determinar las características y el riesgo de deterioro clínico (DC) durante el traslado neonatal. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional y prospectivo; se incluyeron en forma consecutiva RN derivados a la UCIN del Hospital Garrahan. Se midió el puntaje TRIPS (Transport Risk Index of Physiology Stability) antes del traslado y después de él. Se consideró DC del RN cuando el TRIPS postraslado era mayor que el pretraslado. Se registraron características del RN, tipo de enfermedad, distancia, condición al ingreso, necesidad de soporte cardiorrespiratorio inmediato (SCRI) y óbito antes del 7° día y al alta. Se empleó análisis bivariado y multivariado para buscar asociaciones con el DC. Resultados. Se evaluaron 160 RN (EG 35 ± 3 sem, PN 2482 ± 904 g) con una mediana de 2 días de edad, derivados por enfermedades cardiorrespiratorias (50%) y quirúrgicas (34%) en su mayoría. En 57% (91) se observó DC; 46% presentó hipotermia. Requirieron SCRI 49 RN, 28 fallecieron (12 antes del 7º día de ingreso). Las variables estudiadas no se asociaron con el riesgo de DC. La mortalidad fue mayor en el grupo con DC (OR: 3,34 IC 95%: 1,2-8,7), aún luego de considerar la gravedad del RN (OR A: 3 IC 95%: 1,2-8,3). El DC se asoció con necesidad de SCRI (OR: 2,4 IC 95%: 1,2-5). Conclusiones. Los RN trasladados sufren con frecuencia pérdida de estabilidad o deterioro clínico independientemente de sus características; esto se relaciona con mayor mortalidad. Resulta imprescindible que se optimicen las estrategias de cuidado en todos los traslados neonatales.