Transported neonates in Tunisia

Aims: To describe the transport of sick neonates to a tertiary care hospital and evaluate their condition at arrival and outcome. Methods: A multicenter, prospective cohort study was performed in 7 NICUs in Tunisia from 1st april to 31 July 2015.Demographic parameters, transport details and clinical features at arrival were recorded. All neonates were followed up till discharge or death. Results: A total of 239 consecutive neonates were enrolled in the study representing 5.7% of all admitted infants. Maternal risk factors were present in 26% of neonates admitted. Sex-ratio was 1.46. Preterm infants represented 24% of transported babies. Seventeen percent of neonates had severe respiratory distress and 10% had hemodynamic troubles. Referred hospital was not informed in 24% of cases. Regarding the transport mode, 113 newborns (47.5%) were transported in ambulance accompanied by a nurse. Documentation during transfert was present in 14% of cases. Five babies expired on arrival despite resuscitation. Rate mortality was 8.4%. Conclusion: Transporting neonates in developing countries is a challenge. Organized transport services in Tunisia are not always available. So, in cases of at–risk pregnancy, it is safer to transport the mother prior to delivery than to transfer the sick baby after birth.