[Transportation of sick newborn infants]

In a six month period, 96 newborn infants were transferred from local hospitals to the Department of Neonatology, State University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen. Complications related to transport and potential risk factors were registered prospectively. Considering the condition of the infants, 31% of the transports were not carried out under optimal conditions. Serious complications occurred in 13% of the transports of infants at risk for cardio-pulmonary insufficiency. In 25% of the intubated infants, complications related to displacement of the tracheal tube were observed on arrival, but in only one of these cases the complication was recognized and treated during transport. Hypothermia occurred frequently in low birth weight infants. Failing monitoring equipment and difficulties with stethoscopy and other observations during transport may have contributed to the fatal outcome in one case. Careful planning of neonatal transports according to listed recommendations and considering the specific problems in each case may prevent complications.