Open Journal of Pediatrics, 2011, 1, 45-50
doi:10.4236/ojped.2011.14013 Published Online December 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojped/
OJPed
)
Published Online December 2011 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/OJPed
Neonatal transports—risks and opportunities
Alf Meberg1*, Thor W ill y Ruud Hansen2,3
1Department of Paediatrics, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway;
2Department of Neonatology, Women & Children’s Division, Oslo University Hospital HC—Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway;
3Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Received 22 September 2011; revised 30 October 2011; accepted 3 November 2011.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess the need for and quality of neonatal
transports. Material and methods: Prospective ob-
servational study of consecutive transports from a
level II neonatal unit. Results: 500 transports were
undertaken 1982-2010 in 445 patients, representing
0.7% of liveborn infants (n = 61,450). Indications
were congenital malformations in 223 (45%), pre-
maturity/respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in 87
(17%), and other conditions in 190 (38%). For pa-
tients ventilated during transport (n = 121) mean
pCO2 was improved at arrival, and for spontaneously
breathing patients mean pH, pCO2, and base excess
(p < 0.05). After establishing a local respirator pro-
gramme from 1989, transports for prematurity/RDS
declined from 3.4 per 1000 live born infants in
1982-1988 to 0.8 per 1000 in 1989-2010 (p < 0.0001),
and night-time transports (departure between 22.00
pm - 06.00 am) declined from 24/119 (20%) to 38/381
(10%) (p = 0.003). Technical mishaps or severe clini-
cal deterioration occurred in 16 (3%) of the trans-
ports. Conclusions: Neonatal transport carries risks,
but also an opportunity for further stabilization and
improvement. A local respirator programme reduced
the need for transfer of premature infants with RDS
as well as for transports during night-time.
Keywords: Acidosis; Hypothermia; Newborn Infants;
Transport
1. INTRODUCTION
In an unselected population of newborn infants 1% - 2%
are estimated to be in need of advanced care in a level III
neonatal unit [1]. Postnatal transports of such patients
from level II units may cause discontinuity in monitoring
and treatment, with increased risk for deterioration [2,3].
A high-quality neonatal transport system thus is a key
element in regionalized perinatal care programmes [4].
The aim of the present study was to assess the quality
of 500 consecutive transports from a level II neonatal
unit in infants born 1982-2010, as judged from clinical
data, laboratory tests and technical mishaps. Our hy-
pothesis was that the transit time was an opportunity for
further stabilization with clinical and laboratory im-
provement, and that a local ventilator treatment pro-
gramme (established 1989) would cause a decline in the
need for transports, especially for preterm infants with
respiratory distress syndome (RDS).
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS
2.1. Population
Vestfold Hospital serves a population of 220,000 inhabi-
tants in the County of Vestfold, Norway. The hospital
has the only delivery and neonatal unit in the county,
where 90% of the pregnant women deliver their babies
(about 2000 each year). The neonatal unit is a level II
unit undertaking some level III tasks (such as short term
ventilator treatment, established from 1989). In threat-
ened preterm delivery before week 28 of gestation, and
when severe fetal malformations have been diagnosed,
the pregnant woman is transferred to the regional hospi-
tal for delivery. Steroid treatment to promote fetal lung
function in preterm delivery was introduced 1991, and
surfactant treatment for severe RDS from 1992.
During the 29-year period 1982-2010 data from 500
consecutive transports from the neonatal unit were re-
corded prospectively (clinical and laboratory data, tech-
nical mishaps). The study was approved by the regional
committee for medical research ethics.
2.2. Transport System
The vast majority of transports were by ground vehicle
(ambulance) to the regional hospital, a distance of 100
km. A Dräger Medical transport incubator 5400 with a
Babylog 2000 respirator and monitoring equipment in-
cluding electrocardiogram, respirogram, continuous rec-
tal temperature sensor and pulse oximeter was used.

A. Meberg et al. / Open Journal of Pediatrics 1 (2011) 45-50 46
Blood samples and X-ray pictures were taken at depar-
ture for final stabilizing procedures at the discretion of
the attending pediatrician, and at arrival, especially in
patients recognised as unstable or potentially unstable.
Transports were organized and carried out by per-
sonell from the local neonatal unit after necessary diag-
nostic evaluation and stabilizion. Depending on the cli-
nical condition, transports were attended by a paediatri-
cian (unstable, sick patients) or neonatal nurse (stable
patients). The organizing, equipment (except for pulse
oximetry introduced 1986) and guidelines for transports
remained the same during the whole period. Nasal con-
tinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was not used.
2.3. Statistics
Statistical calculations were done by paired two group
t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and chi-sqare-test. The com-
puter programme StatView II, Abacus Concepts, Berkely,
USA was used for the analyses. A p-value < 0.05 was
considered statistically significant.
3. RESULTS
3.1. Need for Transports
During the 29-year period 1982-2010 61,450 infants
were born alive at the hospital. Of these 445 (0.7%) were,
following admission to the neonatal unit, transferred to
another hospital. 404 (91%) were transported to the re-
gional/national hospital for specialized care, and the re-
maining 41 transferred to their home hospital in other
provinces in Norway or abroad. 37 patients were trans-
ported more than once (range 2 - 4), accounting for a
total of 55 retransports. Thus, a total of 500 transports
were carried out, 466 (93%) by ambulance, 22 by taxi
(4%), 9 (2%) by aeroplane, and 3 (0.6%) by helicopter.
184 transports (37%) occurred during the first 24
hours after birth, and an additional 120 (24%) later on
the first week of life. Figure 1 shows the time of day of
departure. Most of the transports departed in the morn-
ing, while 62 (12%) left the hospital during the night-
time (between 22.00 pm and 06.00 am). The percentage
of night-time transports, after establishing a local venti-
lator programme 1989, declined from 24/119 (20%) for
infants born 1982-1988 to 38/381 (10%) for infants born
1989-2010 (p = 0.003).
Table 1 shows the number of transports for malforma-
tions, prematurity/RDS and other conditions. The inci-
dence of transports was unchanged. 119 transports (0.8%)
in 14,271 live born infants were undertaken 1982-88
compared to 381 (0.8%) in 47 179 infants born in 1989-
2010 (p = 0.76). Transports of infants with congenital
malformations were done in 48/14,271 (3.4 per 1000)
and 175/47 179 (3.7 per 1000) respectively in the two
periods (p = 0.55). There was a highly significant reduc-
Figure 1. Time for departure from the neonatal unit in 500
transports.
tion in transfer of preterm infants with RDS, from 48/14
271 (3.4 per 1000 live born) 1982-1988 to 39/47 179
(0.8 per 1000) born 1989-2010 (p < 0.0001). For the
other conditions respectively 23/14 271 (1.6 per 1000)
and 167/47,179 (3.5 per 1000) were transported (p =
0.0003). This increase was partly caused by more pa-
tients belonging to other provinces who needed transfer
to their home hospitals after birth and initial care in our
hospital, respectively 4/14 271 (0.3 per 1000) 1982-88
and 37/47,179 (0.8 per 1000) 1989-2010 (p = 0.04). Re-
transports to the regional hospital also increased signifi-
cantly from 3/14,271 (0.2 per 1 000) to 52/47,179 (1.1
per 1000) (p = 0.001). In 121 transports (24%) the pa-
tient was mechanically ventilated.
3.2. Temperature and Laboratory Tests
Table 2 shows body temperature and laboratory values
before departure and at arrival where paired values were
available. No significant change in mean body tempera-
ture occurred, while blood glucose increased and hemo-
globin concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05).
For the acid-base parameters significant changes oc-
curred for mean pH, pCO2 and base excess. In patients
on ventilator during transport (n = 121) pH was 7.26 ±
0.17 (mean ± SD) and 7.29 ± 0.16 (p = 0.12), pCO2 7.6
± 3.5 kPa and 6.9 ± 3.5 kPa (p = 0.01), and BE −2.6 ±
6.9 mmol/l and −3.3 ± 6.7 mmol/l (p = 0.26) respec-
tively at departure and arrival. The corresponding values
in patients breathing spontaneously during transport
were pH 7.34 ± 0.08 and 7.36 ± 0.08 (p = 0.006), pCO2
6.3 ± 1.4 kPa and 5.9 ± 1.3 kPa (p = 0.0001), and BE
−2.3 ± 4.5 mmol/l and −0.8 ± 5.0 mmol/l (p = 0.046). In
patients with critical heart defects given prostaglandin E1
(PGE) infusion during transport (n = 30) pH was 7.29 ±
0.13 and 7.34 ± 0.10 (p = 0.05), pCO2 7.1 ± 2.3 kPa and
5.6 ± 1.3 kPa (p = 0.002), and BE −3.8 ± 5.0 mmol/l and
−3.2 ± 4.1 mmol/l (p = 0.68) respectively at departure
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Table 1. Indications for 500 consecutive transports 1982-2010.
1982-1988 1989-2010 Total
n % n % n %
Malformations
- heart
- gastrointestinal tract
- central nervous system
- other
48
22
8
3
15
40 175
63
64
16
32
46 223
85
72
19
47
45
Prematurity/RDS 48 40 39a 10 87 17
Miscellaneous 23 19 167a 44 190 38
Total 119 100 381 100 500 100
ap < 0.05; statistically significant difference from 1982-1988; RDS = respiratory disress syndrome.
Table 2. Body temperature and laboratory tests before departure and at arrival.
Before departure At arrival
n Mean Range Mean Range p-value
Tp (˚C) 293 36.9 33.5 - 38.5 36.9 34 - 39.7 0.769
Glucose (mmol/l) 226 4.6 0.3 - 16.7 5.1 0.5 - 19.9 0.006
Hemoglobin (g/100 ml)a 188 18.1 11 - 26.2 17.1 10.3 - 27.1 0.0001
pH 310 7.31 6.66 - 7.58 7.33 6.74 - 7.63 0.005
pCO2 303 6.7 2 - 20.3 6.2 2.7 - 19.2 0.0001
Base excess (mmol/l) 309 −1.2 −24.4 - 20 −1.7 −25 - 19.1 0.038
aTransport before 72 hours after birth.
and arrival.
Figure 2 shows the number of infants with extreme
values before departure and at arrival. Although there
appeared to be a trend towards more patients with hypo-
and hyperthermia, hyperglychemia, anemia (only cases
transported <72 hours of age were included to minimize
the interference from the physiological decline in hemo-
globlin concentration), alkalosis, hypocapnea, and major
base deficit at arrival, the numbers were not significantly
different from the numbers with extreme values at de-
parture (p > 0.05). Some patients with extreme values at
departure also had extreme values at arrival. Two se-
verely asphyxiated infants were intentionally hypother-
mic both at departure and arrival. Ten out of 18 patients
(56%) with body temperature <36˚C at arrival had low
birth weight (<2500 g). Of 14 patients with severe aci-
dosis (pH < 7.10) at arrival five were transported for
prematurity/RDS, three for persistent pulmonary hyper-
tension, two for critical heart defects, and one each for
group B streptococcal septicemia, diaphragmatic hernia,
asphyxia and Potter syndrome.
3.3. Technical Mishaps-Clinical Complications
In 16 transports (3%) severe technical failure or clinical
complications were recorded. Accidental extubation,
tube dislocation into the right main bronchus or tube
dislocation from the connector occurred in eight patients,
7% of the patients who were ventilated. In two patients
umbilical catheter complications occurred (bleeding be-
cause of catheter dislocation). In one transport the respi-
rator failed, in one the oxygen supply ran out, and in one
the ambulance broke down. One case developed pneu-
mothorax (mechanically ventilated during transport) and
in two spontaneously breathing infants severe apnoea
requiring manual mask ventilation occurred.
3.4. Mortality
No infant died during transport, however, 14 died within
24 hours after arrival, accounting for a transport related
mortality of 3%. Six of these had letal malformations. A
total of 58 infants (13%) died before discharge from the
regional hospital. Mortality declined from 27/116 infants
(23%) transported 1982-1988 to 31/329 (9%) transported
1989-2010 (p = 0.0001).
4. DISCUSSION
4.1. Need and Time for Transports
Of all live born infants 0.7% were transported to another

A. Meberg et al. / Open Journal of Pediatrics 1 (2011) 45-50 48
Figure 2. Number of infants with extreme values for body temperature, blood glucose, hemoglobin concen-
tration (transports before 72 hours of age) and acid-base values before departure and at arrival.
hospital, of whom more than 90% to a regional hospital
for advanced diagnostic procedures and therapeutic in-
terventions. If in utero transports from the population are
added, 1% of newborn infants were in need of treatment
at the regional hospital (A Meberg, upublished data).
This is in accordance with estimated needs for level III
care in an unselected population of newborns [1]. How-
ever, the need for postnatal transports from level II neo-
natal units may vary according to local resources (ability
to undertake selected level III tasks) and the quality of
obstetric programmes to select high-risk pregnancies for
ante natal transfer (maternal disease, fetal disease or
malformations).
Most of the transfers occurred soon after birth, more
than 1/3 during the first 24 hours and 2/3 during the first
week. Infants with congenital malformations constituted
the largest group. Although antenatal detection of such
conditions has improved in recent years, with possibility
for in utero transfer, the impact on postnatal transports
was not significant. A substantial percentage of severe
congenital malformations are still diagnosed postnatally.
For preterm infants with RDS, however, a significant
decline in transfer needs occurred after establishing a
local ventilator treatment programme. Prenatal steroid
treatment and surfactant in severe RDS most probably
also have contributed to this [5]. At the same time the
demand for night-time transports was halved. A local
respirator programme provides opportunities for better
stabilization of the patient, and allocation to day-time
transportation, when resources for transfer are more op-
timal.
The increasing number of infants transferred to their
home hospitals may be an indicator for more cooperation
between health regions. An increase of infants in need of
more than one transport indicates a more dynamic inter-
action between the regional and the subregional hospital.
4.2. Clinical and Laboratory Results
The present study emphasizes the risk for clinical and
laboratory deterioration of infants undergoing transport
(Figure 2). A higher blood glucose level at arrival may
be an indicator of stress, and decline in hemoglobin con-
centration may represent fluid overload or blood loss.
On the other hand, significant normalization of acid-base
parameters shows that transferral may also be an oppor-
tunity for further stabilization and improvement. This
was well demonstrated in the subgroup of infants with
critical heart defects who received PGE infusion. Im-
proved clinical condition of newborns at the end of
transfer has also been found in other studies [6,7].
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Most of the patients with hypothermia (body tem-
perature <36˚C) at arrival were low birthweight infants,
caused by insufficient temperature regulation and in-
creased heat loss because of a large body surface to
weight ratio in these patients. Our experiences are in
agreement with other studies [8]. Temperature monitor-
ing, best performed continuously with a rectal probe,
thus is an important procedure in neonatal transports.
There was a trend for more infants with extreme val-
ues for body temperature, blood glucose, hemoglobin,
and acid-base parameters at arrival (Figure 2). It is a
matter of concern that some patients with extreme values
at departure also had extreme values at arrival. This sug-
gests insufficient stabilization, or that the condition
could not be stabilized. When a specialized retrieval
team carries out the transport, the quality of transports
has been shown to be improved compared to local ad
hoc teams [9,10]. A special challenge is pulmonary hy-
pertension, causing severe hypoxia and metabolic acido-
sis. The risk for death or sequelae is high in these pa-
tients, who may need ventilation with nitric oxide to
reduce pulmonary vascular resistance [11] or extractor-
poral membrane oxygenation to ensure oxygenation [12].
Few hospitals have the possibility to provide such treat-
ment during transport, and will need help from sentral-
ized transport systems with advanced technology.
4.3. Technical Mishaps
Technical errors occurred in some of the transports. This
emphasizes the importance of a high-quality work with
focus on technical details, especially in the pretransport
stabilization period. Proper fixation of the tracheal tube,
X-ray control of tube position and necessary correction
before departure, sedation of active infants (e.g. when
mechanically ventilated) are important points in order to
avoid tube dislocation. The same principles apply for
umbilical vessel catheters.
4.4. Mortality
The transport-related mortality (dead during the first 24
hours after arrival) was low (3%), with nearly half dying
from letal malformations. Better diagnostics could pos-
sibly have avoided some of these futile transports.
A considerable decline in mortality of transported in-
fants occurred without contemporary increasing mortal-
ity in the referring hospital (A Meberg, unpublished
data). The reason for this is multifactorial, reflecting
progress of neonatal care. Better organization of trans-
ports, and better stabilization and treatment of the pa-
tients are important factors. An indicator for this may be
the reduced percentage of night-time transports follow-
ing improvements in the local intensive care programme.
However, in spite of high quality postnatal transports, in
utero transfer is, when possible, the better choice [13,
14].
5. CONCLUSIONS
Neonatal transport carries risks, but also an opportunity
for further stabilization and improvement. A local respi-
rator programme reduced the need for transfer of pre-
mature infants with RDS as well as for transports during
night-time.
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The study was supported by a grant from Vestfold Hospital Trust.
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