Transport of the Surgical Neonate

Due to centralization and resource optimization, treatment of life-threatening congenital malformations and complex diseases in the newborn can only be provided in highly specialized tertiary centres. To ensure optimal care, sick neonates must therefore be transported safely to these hospitals, sometimes over considerable distances. Every neonate with a serious congenital malformation requiring transport to a specialized hospital must be assessed and stabilized by experienced staff prior to and during transport, as adequate stabilization before transport is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality. A transport team and vehicle should be an extension of the neonatal intensive care unit, and be able to supply the technical expertise and facilities for advanced critical care management of babies with life-threatening surgical problems during transport to the hospital.