Clinical value of neonatal transport team participating in the management of twin neonates before transport / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To investigate and analyze the necessity and clinical significance of professional neonatal transport team participating in post-natal resuscitation, management and transport of twin neonates after birth.Methods:A total of 298 cases of twin neonates admitted to the Department of Neonatology at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were selected.According to whether the neonatal transport team participated in birth resuscitation and management, they were divided into participation group ( n=136) and case group ( n=162). The resuscitation measures taken after birth, Apgar score, respiratory support during transport, basic information at admission, the first arterial blood gas after admission, complications during hospitalization, length of stay and outcome of the two groups of twins were retrospectively analyzed. Results:Compared with twins in case group, the proportion of tracheal intubation before transport was significantly higher in participation group(5.88% vs.0.62%, χ2=6.997, P=0.013), hospital admissions were significantly shorter[48(7, 115) min vs.87(47, 425) min, Z=-11.593, P<0.001], and significantly lower rates of hypoxia on admission(9.56% vs.17.90%, χ2=4.250, P=0.039), significantly higher percutaneous oxygen saturation[96(86, 100)% vs.95(85, 100)%, Z=-7.274, P<0.001], and higher blood-gas-oxygen partial pressure on admission[(91.02±25.77)mmHg vs.(87.82±25.23)mmHg, t=1.076, P=0.008] were found.The incidence of hypothermia on admission was significantly lower(36.03% vs.47.53%, χ2=4.008, P=0.045), and the differences between two groups were statistically significant( P<0.05). The proportion of critically ill neonates(40.44% vs.24.07%, χ2=9.172, P=0.002), length of hospital-stay[11(4, 76)d vs.9(3, 72) d, Z=-2.684, P=0.014] as well as the intravenous nutrition time[7(0, 42)d vs.5(0, 40) d, Z=-2.470, P=0.014] in participaton group were significantly higher than those in case group, and there were statistically significant differences between two groups( P<0.05). Conclusion:Professional neonatal transport teams play a positive role in neonatal resuscitation and later hospitalization during the pre-transport management of twin neonates.It can improve success rate of tracheal intubation in asphyxia resuscitation of twin neonates.Neonatal transport to the NICU for management takes less time, reducing the incidence of hypoxemia during transport, hypoxia status and hypothermia after admission.Obstetric pediatric medical staff in midwifery hospitals should strengthen the professional training of neonatal asphyxiation resuscitation, improve the skill of neonatal asphyxiation resuscitation and tracheal intubation, and strengthen the post-birth care for twin neonates.

Neonatal referral in a primary hospital under the background of regional neonatal transport network / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To analyze the cases referred to a higher-level hospital from the Department of Neonatology in a primary hospital, and evaluate the efficiency of clinical works related to the referrals.Methods:Data of neonates admitted to the Department of Neonatology at Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Dabu County from January 2018 to December 2020 and referred to the superior hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 1 670 neonates were included and 128 neonates were referred.The median age of the neonates referred was 0.5 hours(0 hours, 25 days), the median gestational age was 38 + 3(29 + 1, 42 + 4) weeks, the median weight was 3 000(1 250, 4 800) g, and the transport distance was 78 km.Twenty-four cases were assessed as critical cases before the referral, 125 cases were improved and discharged after treatment in the superior hospital, and three cases died.The referral rate in 2018, 2019 and 2020 showed a downward trend year by year (10.3%, 7.6% and 4.0%, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=14.362, P=0.001). The proportion of critical cases in referral cases increased year by year (9.4%, 23.9% and 38.9%, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=9.289, P=0.010). The incidence of critical case was higher in those whose mothers didn′t have regular prenatal examination during pregnancy( χ2=5.129, P=0.032). Conclusion:The ability of neonatal treatment in primary hospitals has been improved.The neonates need to be referred and critical cases are not rare in primary hospitals.More attention should be paid to the safety and effectiveness of the regional transport network.Also, enhancing the health awareness of residents and improving the primary medical technics are important to maximize the life safety and optimal transition of newborns.

A prospective study on the efficacy and safety of kangaroo mother care as an alternative means of transport of preterm and term small-for-gestational age infants

Background@#The unavailability of transport incubators in resource-limited areas increases the risk for hypothermia in low birthweight neonates requiring transfer to another hospital. The kangaroo mother care (KMC) position may be a better alternative than swaddling the neonates during transport.@*Objective@#To determine the safety and efficacy of KMC as an alternative means of transport of preterm and term small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants who need to be transferred to a higher level of care. Specifically, it aims to establish if KMC is safe and efficacious in terms of thermoregulation during inter-facility transfers. It also aims to determine the impact of transport distance from the referring hospital, age of gestation, sex, birthweight, and Apgar score on the efficacy of KMC in preventing hypothermia. @*Methods@#We did a prospective, single-blinded, parallel-randomized controlled trial from September 2016 to October 2017 from a community-based primary care facility to a tertiary government hospital. We included newborn preterm infants and term SGA infants weighing 1200–1800 grams, delivered at health centers, district and provincial hospitals who needed to be transferred for a higher level of care. Outcomes included physiologic variables such as temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate. We conducted statistical analysis using t-test, risk ratio, and multiple regression analysis. @*Results@#Thirty-one neonates were randomized to KMC transport (n=15) and conventional transport (swaddled) (n=16). Fifty percent of the swaddled infants developed hypothermia against none in the KMC infants. The risk of hypothermia was reduced by 93.75% in the neonates transported in KMC. The gestational age, birthweight, sex, Apgar scores and distance travelled had no confounding effect on the neonates’ temperature during transport. @*Conclusions@#Kangaroo mother care transport is a safe, effective, and low-cost alternative in inter-facility neonatal transport especially in limited-resource areas.

Study of indications, complications and outcomes of neonatal transport by a skilled team

Background: A skilled transport team is an essential requirement for safe and effective neonatal transport. The transport team of this level III NICU in Chennai performs a considerable number of transports every year and a need was felt to study the indications, complications and outcomes of transport.Methods: Prospective Descriptive study of neonatal transports conducted 18 months Patients were divided into 2 main groups based on transport Duration: Short (?1hr) and Long (>1hr) transport groups. TRIPS (Transport risk index of physiologic stability) score, a risk- weighted validated neonatal transport was used as a practical system for assessing infant transport careResults: During the study period 210 transports were performed from 12 cities and towns. 60% transports were of short duration. Respiratory causes were the most common indications (43.8%) followed by CNS causes (19.5%). 44.3%(93) patients required ventilation during the transport process. Overall, there was improvement in mean TRIPS 2 score compared to TRIPS 1 in all groups of patients (Short, Prolonged, Survivors and Non-survivors). Total mortality of transported group was 31 patients (14.8%). (Including 02 patients who died enroute). There were non-significant differences in 7 day mortality (7.6% vs 8.4%) and total mortality (13.9% vs 13.4%) between the groups. Complications that occurred during transport included hyperglycemia, prolonged CFT, hypothermia, accidental extubation enroute, hypoglycemia, hyperthermia, Hypotension, and persistent Hypoxia.Conclusions: It appears, that overall, duration of transport does not adversely affect outcome. Transport Team should be able to intubate and ventilate the baby and diagnose and manage complications like hypothermia, shock and hypoglycemia at referring hospital and enroute.

Correlation of TOPS scoring with immediate outcome among neonates transported to special newborn care unit: a prospective study

Background: Several sick neonates require transfer to tertiary level care neonatal unit for treatment. The facilities of neonatal transport in India are not optimal and the newborn thus transported can become hypothermic, hypoxic and/or hypoglycemic which can affect the neonatal outcome. These parameters can be maintained during transport by adopting simple measures. The aim and objective of this study is to study impact of acute physiological parameters during transfer of neonates on their immediate outcome by using TOPS score. TOPS score - Temperature, Oxygenation, Perfusion (Assessed by capillary refill time), Blood sugar.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the special newborn care unit, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad enrolling 460 transported neonates. TOPS scoring for each neonate was done at admission, and then the parameters of the TOPS score were correlated with the outcome at 48 h of admission.Results: A total of 460 transported newborns were assessed, 47.8% newborns were hypothermic, 33.9% had poor perfusion, 27.8% were hypoxemic, and 22% were hypoglycemic. On correlating with the outcome, Hypoxemia and hypo perfusion had the highest sensitivity (92.2% and 57.3%, respectively) while hypoglycemia had the highest specificity (88%), for an adverse outcome.Conclusions: TOPS score is a useful and easy to use the method to assess the physiological status and predict early mortality in transported neonates.

Efficacy of passive hypothermia and adverse events during transport of asphyxiated newborns according to the severity of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy / Eficácia da hipotermia passiva e eventos adversos durante o transporte de recém-nascidos asfixiados de acordo com a gravidade da encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica

Abstract Objective To determine if the efficacy of passive hypothermia and adverse events during transport are related to the severity of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Methods This was a retrospective study of 67 infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, born between April 2009 and December 2013, who were transferred for therapeutic hypothermia and cooled during transport. Results Fifty-six newborns (84%) were transferred without external sources of heat and 11 (16%) needed an external heat source. The mean temperature at departure was 34.4 ± 1.4 °C and mean transfer time was 3.3 ± 2.0 h. Mean age at arrival was 5.6 ± 2.5 h. Temperature at arrival was between 33 and 35 °C in 41 (61%) infants, between 35 °C and 36.5 °C in 15 (22%) and <33 °C in 11 (16%). Infants with severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy had greater risk of having an admission temperature < 33 °C (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.1-19.3). The severity of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and the umbilical artery pH were independent risk factors for a low temperature on admission (p < 0.05). Adverse events during transfer, mainly hypotension and bleeding from the endotracheal tube, occurred in 14 infants (21%), with no differences between infants with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Conclusion The risk of overcooling during transport is greater in newborns with severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and those with more severe acidosis at birth. The most common adverse events during transport are related to physiological deterioration and bleeding from the endotracheal tube. This observation provides useful information to identify those asphyxiated infants who require closer clinical surveillance during transport.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar se a eficácia da hipotermia passiva e eventos adversos durante o transporte estão relacionados à gravidade da encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica neonatal. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de 67 neonatos com encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica (nascidos entre abril de 2009 e dezembro de 2013) transferidos para hipotermia terapêutica e resfriados durante o transporte. Resultados Foram transportados 56 recém-nascidos (84%) sem fontes externas de calor e 11 (16%) precisaram de uma fonte externa de calor. A temperatura média na saída foi de 34,4 ± 1,4 °C e o tempo médio de transporte foi de 3,3 ± 2,0 horas. A idade média na chegada foi de 5,6 ± 2,5 horas. A temperatura na chegada ficou entre 33-35 °C em 41 (61%) neonatos, entre 35°-36,5 °C em 15 (22%) e < 33 °C em 11 (16%). Neonatos com encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica grave apresentaram maior risco de temperatura < 33 °C na internação (RC 4,5; IC de 95% 1,1-19,3). A gravidade da encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica e o pH da artéria umbilical foram fatores de risco independentes para uma baixa temperatura na internação (p < 0,05). Eventos adversos durante o transporte, principalmente hipotensão e sangramento do tubo endotraqueal, ocorreram em 14 neonatos (21%), sem diferenças entre neonatos com encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica moderada ou grave. Conclusão O risco de super-resfriamento durante o transporte é maior em recém-nascidos com encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica grave e naqueles com acidose mais grave no nascimento. Os eventos adversos mais comuns durante o transporte estão relacionados a deterioração fisiológica e sangramento do tubo endotraqueal. Essa observação fornece informações úteis para identificar neonatos asfixiados que exigem maior vigilância clínica durante o transporte.

Establishing an Emergency Maternal Transport Control Center

The total fertility rate in South Korea is one of the lowest among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. However, the number of advanced maternal age and high risk pregnancies are rising due to delays in marriage and increased infertility rates, resulting in a maternal mortality rate that is higher than the OECD average. The most common cause of maternal mortality has been reported to be obstetric embolism, followed by postpartum hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is a preventable condition that can be solved by expeditious initial management such as transfusion, medication, and prompt transfers to tertiary centers that are capable of managing obstetric emergencies. However, the number of maternity care hospitals in underserved areas has been falling since 2004 due to business losses stemming from low birth rates, inadequate insurance payments for obstetric services, and the shortage of obstetricians. The insufficient maternity care system for high risk pregnant women in Korea has also led to an increase in maternal mortality. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has supported the establishment of an ‘Integrated Care Center for High Risk Pregnancy and Neonate’ for high risk maternity and neonatal cases. However, there is no systematic transfer system in place to monitor and support emergency patient transfers in the event of obstetric emergencies. Although the Disaster & Emergency Medical Operations Center is currently carrying out these tasks, it is insufficient to properly manage all obstetric transfers. Our plan is to establish an Emergency Maternal Transport Control Center that is linked with the existing Disaster & Emergency Medical Operations Center at the National Medical Center. To implement this system, cooperation from each maternity and neonatal center will be crucial to share available human and material resources. Successful implementation of this system will allow for communication not only with the regional perinatal centers, but on a nationwide scale to detect and conduct necessary transfers of high risk pregnancy patients in emergency situations. It is anticipated that this system will significantly improve maternal health care as well as obstetric infrastructure, especially in underserved areas.

Bibliometrical analysis of literature on neonatal transportation in China / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective To study the current status and the trend of neonatal transportation in China for future reference.Method From the establishment day of the databases to December 2017,articles on neonatal transportation were reviewed from the databases including the Chinese biological medical disc (CBMdisc),China journal full-text database (CJFD),China science periodical database (CSPD) and China science and technology journal database (CSTJ).The bibliographic items co-occurrence matrix builder (BICOMB) was used to extract the data according to the criteria and the SPSS 21.0 software was used for cluster analysis.Result A total of 415 articles were collected from 1992 to 2017.The number of published documents increased in general with a peak in 2011 and then decreased slightly.The number of papers from Guangdong province was the highest,while the Heilongjiang,Ningxia and other regions the lowest.85 articles (20.5％) focused on sharing neonatal transportation experience,37 articles (8.9％)introduced small inventions and creations,and another 3 articles (0.7％) further explained the guidelines.The 415 articles were published in 172 journals,involving 991 authors and 368 first authors.And the degree of literature cooperation was 2.69 (991/368).14 core authors in this field published 55 papers.The clustering analysis results of key words showed three research hot-spots including the transport of critically-ill newborn or premature,the operation of transport network and related nursing strategy.Conclusion Although neonatal transportation received more and more attention from researchers,studies in this area was still lacking,especially high credibility and more cooperative researches.More comprehensive research ismuch needed.Adequate attention should be paid to this area.

Advances in transporting critical ill neonates / 中国小儿急救医学

In order to understand the status of neonatal transport research at home and abroad,we summarized and analyzed the research progress of neonatal transport through the literature search.Thus we evaluated the current application of a variety of transport critical rating system.Intrauterine transport is considered the safest mode of transport,and promote intrauterine transport of high-risk mothers.It is suggested that the parents participate in the transshipment process and return the stable children to the local hospital for further treatment and promote the family-centered treatment mode.In transit,mobile ECMO,hypothermia and other advanced equipment in foreign countries have been applied.It is recommended to use the respiratory function monitor to monitor the respiration during transit.It can provide the parameters of respiratory wave,identify air leak,accidental release,spontaneous breathing.

Predictors of mortality among the neonates transported to referral centre in Delhi, India.

A descriptive study was conducted with an objective to determine the predictors of mortality among referred neonates and to ascertain their transport characteristics. A total of 300 consecutive neonates who were transferred to the centre were enrolled in the study. Following information were recorded: maternal details, birth details, interventions before transportation, details of transportation and neonatal condition at arrival. Detailed clinical assessment and management was done as per standard neonatal protocols. Birth weight <1 kg (OR 0.04; 95% CI: 0.006-0.295, P<0.01) and transportation time >1 hour (OR 5.58; 95% CI: 1.41-22.01, P=0.01) were found to be significant predictors for mortality among the transported neonate. Transport characteristics reflect road transport with limited utility of ambulances and lack of trained health personal. Hence to conclude, extreme low birth weight and prolonged transportation time were found to be significant predictors of neonatal mortality among the transported neonate.

Risk factors associated to clinical deterioration during the transport of sick newborn infants / Factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro clínico en el traslado de recién nacidos enfermos

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.

Progress of neonatal transport / 国际儿科学杂志

The transport of critical neonates has a high mortality. To reduce the mortality, it is very important to determine the transport indications in advance. Additionally, the neonatal transport is also based on the industrial training, the transport team combined by a variety of profession, the uniform and standard transport equipment and so on. Therefore, this article mainly reviews the education training, team, equipment, indications, the latest skill, air transport and so on.

Prolonged neonatal interhospital transport on road: Relevance for developing countries.

Objective. To compare prolonged inter hospital long distance transports on road undertaken by a qualified transport team vs those done by the same team from shorter distances and time. Methods. Retrospective descriptive comparative study of the neonatal transports done during a period of 48 mo. All neonates transferred on road to a tertiary level pediatric hospital from various maternity and pediatric centers. The biochemical characteristics, adverse effects during transport and 24 hr survival after the transport in both the groups were compared. Results. The babies were comparable in their gestational age and ventilatory requirements (46% vs 39%). The biochemical and metabolic characteristics and 24 hr mortality rates for babies who were transported for longer times and distances were comparable (p value =0.75) to those transported for shorter times. Conclusion. Long distance neonatal transport on road is feasible and with a qualified team results can be comparable to those transported from shorter distances.