Aim:. The purpose of this study was to compare neonatal outcome (mortality,
respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotising en
terocolitis, persisting ductus arteriosus, and septicaemia) after intrauter
ine transport versus neonatal transport in an area where short-distance tra
nsport is the rule. Methods: The study was retrospective in nature. The fil
es of all neonates delivered between 24 and 34 weeks from 1994 to 1998 and
transported intrauterine or postnatally to the Antwerp University Hospital
were reviewed. Cases of intrauterine fetal death and mothers discharged bef
ore delivery were excluded, as were infants with lethal congenital anomalie
s. Results. A total of 328 deliveries after intrauterine transport, resulti
ng in 416 neonates and 187 neonates transported postnatally were included.
The maximum distance patients had to he transported was 40 km. Placental ab
ruption was more frequent in the mothers of the neonatal transport group (1
3 vs. 5%. P=0.001). Corticosteroids were administered significantly less in
the neonatal transport group (67 vs. 13%, P <0.0001). Preterm rupture of t
he membranes (36 vs. 20%, P <0.0001), preterm labour (73 vs. 36%, P <0.0001
), and pre-eclampsia (10 vs. 7%, P <0.0001) were more frequent in the intra
uterine transport group and this group had a lower mean birthweight and ges
tational age. There was no significant difference for overall neonatal mort
ality, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotis
ing enterocolitis, persisting ductus arteriosus or septicaemia. (C) 2001 El
sevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.