Intrauterine versus postnatal transport of the preterm infant: a short-distance experience

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.