ABSTRACT
Specialty care for preterm and critically ill infants has evolved over many years. Neonatal intensive care nurseries were developed, and physicians and nurses learned how to provide intensive care for these infants. Neonatal and maternal (in utero) transport to tertiary centers became common in regionalized systems of care to facilitate the specialized care of high-risk neonates when childbirth occurred in settings without specialized personnel or equipment. Annually, nearly 70,000 neonatal transports occur in the United States. Although specialty care helps reduce rates of neonatal mortality, racial disparities and disparities between urban and rural areas exist. The purpose of this article is to review the progress achieved in neonatal and maternal transport over the past 50 years. The knowledge developed can be used to improve the care provided to women, their fetuses, and infants.
Subject(s)
Delivery, Obstetric , Intensive Care, Neonatal , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , United StatesABSTRACT
A premature newborn was first transported via helicopter from place of birth to a specialty nursery 50 years ago. Since that time, the care of high-risk and premature newborns has evolved, but specialized services are not always available at the birth site. As a result, the demand for newborn transfer continues to grow. Today, neonates are transported to tertiary centers via ground ambulances, helicopters, and airplanes by highly trained personnel using sophisticated incubators and equipment.
