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Provision of servo-controlled cooling during neonatal transport

Abstract

Introduction Therapeutic hypothermia is a time critical intervention for infants who have experienced a hypoxic–ischaemic event. Previously reported methods of cooling during transport do not demonstrate the same stability achieved in the neonatal unit. The authors developed a system which allowed provision of servo-controlled cooling throughout transport, and present their first year's experience.

Methods Retrospective review of routinely collected patient data.

Results 14 out-born infants were referred for cooling during a 12-month period. Nine infants were managed with the servo-controlled system during transport. Cooling was commenced in all infants before 6 h of life. Median time from team arrival to the infant having a temperature in the target range (33–34°C) was 45 min. Median temperature during transfer was 33.5°C (range 33–34°C). Temperature on arrival at the cooling centre ranged from 33.4°C to 33.8°C.

Conclusion Servo-controlled cooling during transport is feasible and provides an optimal level of thermal control.

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