Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport
Published on: June 21, 2024
Aeromedical Transport in Children: A Descriptive Analysis of 96 Cases
Guillaume Mortamet1,2,3, Karen Harrington3, Hervé Raffin1
1From the Medic'air International, Bagnolet, France.
Insights
Pediatric aeromedical transport (AT) involves complex cases, with repatriation being the primary reason. Dedicated air ambulances are recommended for younger, mechanically ventilated children to ensure safe transport.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care
- Aeromedical transport
- Emergency medicine
Background:
- Pediatric aeromedical transport (AT) presents unique challenges.
- Understanding the characteristics of pediatric AT is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a series of 96 pediatric aeromedical transport cases.
- To analyze indications, transport modalities, and adverse events in pediatric AT.
Main Methods:
- Single-center retrospective study.
- Inclusion of pediatric patients (<18 years) undergoing aeromedical transport.
- Data collection on transport reasons, diagnoses, ventilation status, and transport methods.
Main Results:
- 96 pediatric patients were air transported, with a median age of 120 months.
- Repatriation was the main indication (67.7%), followed by inter-hospital transfer for procedures (32.3%).
- Trauma surgery was the most common diagnosis (39.5%); 15.6% required mechanical ventilation, with no serious adverse events reported.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric AT involves diverse clinical scenarios, with younger patients often requiring mechanical ventilation.
- Specialized air transport, particularly dedicated air ambulances, may be more suitable for critically ill pediatric patients.
- International experience highlights the need for tailored AT services for children.
Objective:
Pediatric aeromedical transport (AT) is highly challenging. We aim to describe a series of 96 cases of children requiring medical transport in terms of the indication, modalities, and related adverse events.
Methods:
In this single-center retrospective study, we included air-transported patients less than 18 years old.
Results:
During the study period, 96 patients, with median age of 120 months (range, 0-204), were air transported. The reason for AT was repatriation to the home country from another hospital in 65 (67.7%), whereas for 31 (32.3%) patients, it was for transport from a hospital to another for a special procedure. The main diagnosis was trauma surgery (n = 38; 39.5%). Fifteen (15.6%) patients were mechanically ventilated. No patient sustained serious adverse events during the flight. Patients were transported by an air ambulance or by a scheduled aircraft in 55.2% and 44.8%, respectively. The median flight distance was 822 km (range, 277-9878), and most of the ATs were intra-European (n = 41; 42.7%).
Conclusion:
This study describes an international experience in providing AT services for pediatric clinical cases. Among pediatric patients, the younger ones constitute a specific population, and most of them require mechanical ventilation. Therefore, the transport of these patients seems to be more appropriate in a dedicated air ambulance.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism