Impact of Land-Based Neonatal Transport on Outcomes in Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

ABSTRACT

We sought to determine the effect of neonatal transport on the incidence of adverse events of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in term neonates. A retrospective study was performed of neonates who had TTN and were admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Sami Ulus Maternity, Children's Education and Research Hospital by land-based transport. Data from 208 newborns with TTN were evaluated, and clinical and laboratory findings were compared between patients who were transported from within the city (group 1) or from outside of the city (group 2). In the present study, long-distance land-based neonatal transport increased the adverse effects of TTN in newborns. Arterial blood gas parameters of the neonates in both groups before transport were similar, and these parameters and Downes' scores were comparable in both groups, implying that patients from outside the city had greater respiratory insufficiency than those from inside the city at admission to NICU. Respiratory support in the NICU and pulmonary air leak syndrome ratios were found to be significantly higher in the group from outside the city. Long-distance land-based transport in neonates with TTN increases the severity of illness. Furthermore, adverse events and the outcome of such infants depend on the effectiveness of the neonatal transport system.

KEYWORDS

Transient tachypnea of the newborn - transport - neonate

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