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Whole-body vibration in neonatal transport: a review of current knowledge and future research challenges
I Goswami1, S Redpath2, R G Langlois3
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Transporting high-risk neonates to tertiary care is crucial. This review examines environmental stressors like whole-body vibration during neonatal transport and suggests ways to minimize harm.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal transport medicine
- Environmental stressors in healthcare
- Perinatal care optimization
Background:
- Interfacility transport is essential for high-risk neonates needing tertiary care.
- Ensuring equitable access to optimal perinatal healthcare relies on effective transport.
- Environmental stressors like noise and vibration during transport pose risks to sick neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on physical stressors during neonatal transport.
- To focus on whole-body vibration as a key environmental stressor.
- To identify knowledge gaps and areas for future research on minimizing transport-related harm.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on neonatal transport.
- Analysis of emerging technologies in the transport environment.
- Specific examination of whole-body vibration data.
Main Results:
- Vibration is a significant physical stressor during neonatal transport.
- Limited data exists on the precise burden of exposure and injury mechanisms.
- New technologies may offer potential interventions, but require further study.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to understand vibration's impact on neonates.
- Engineering interventions and modifications could mitigate vibration exposure.
- Recommendations are needed to minimize physical stressors during neonatal transport.
Abstract:
Interfacility transport to tertiary care for high-risk neonates has become an integral part of equitable access to optimal perinatal healthcare. Excellence in clinical care requires expertise in transport medicine and the coordination of safe transport processes. However, concerns remain regarding environmental stressors involved in the transportation of sick high-risk neonates, including noise and vibration. In order to mitigate the potential deleterious effects of these physical stressors during transport, further knowledge of the burden of exposure, injury mechanisms and engineering interventions/modifications as adjuncts during transport would be beneficial. We reviewed the current literature with a focus on the contribution of new and emerging technologies in the transport environment with particular reference to whole-body vibration. This review intends to highlight what is known about vibration as a physical stressor in neonates and areas for further research; with the goal to making recommendations for minimizing these stressors during transport.
