Table 2

Comparison of features of neonates managed without and with ICC insertion prior to transport

CharacteristicNo ICC (n=92)ICC (n=82)Mean difference
(95% CI)
P value
Gestational age (weeks), mean (SD)38.7 (2.1)36.4 (3.0)2.4 (1.6 to 3.1)<0.001
Birth weight (g), mean (SD)3293 (642)2841 (737)453 (246 to 659)<0.001
Apgar score at 5 min, median (IQR)8 (7–9)9 (8–9)NA0.02
Age at time of pneumothorax diagnosis (hours), median (IQR)4 (1.5–21.0)22 (6–32)NA<0.001
FiO2 administered,* median % (IQR)35 (29–47)45 (30–60)NA0.003
Most recent blood pH at time of retrieval team arrival, median (IQR)7.29 (7.20–7.35)7.27 (7.19–7.33)NA0.23
Most recent blood pCO2 at time of retrieval team arrival, median (IQR)47 (39–61)51 (46.2–62.9)NA0.02
Duration of stabilisation (hours), median (IQR)1.4 (1–2)2.6 (1.8–3.2)NA<0.001
Duration of travel (hours), median (IQR)1 (0.6–1.6)1 (0.6–1.8)NA0.89
OR
(95% CI)
P value
Sex, male, n (%)56 (61)56 (69)1.4 (0.7 to 2.6)0.34
IPPVat birth,† n (%)36 (52)20 (36)0.5 (0.25 to 1.1)0.10
Underlying lung disease, n (%)
Any lung disease37 (40.2)58 (70.7)3.6 (1.9 to 6.7)<0.001
Hyaline membrane disease20 (21.7)48 (58.5)5.1 (2.6 to 9.8)<0.001
Transient tachypnoea of newborn10 (10.9)4 (4.9)0.4 (0.13 to 1.3)0.17
Meconium aspiration syndrome5 (5.4)5 (6.1)0.7 (0.2 to 2.5)0.75
Pulmonary hypoplasia1 (1.1)0 (0)NANA
Congenital pneumonia0 (0)1 (1.2)NANA
Other1 (1.1)0 (0)NANA
Respiratory support mode
Any respiratory support77 (83.7)80 (97.6)7.8 (1.6 to 36.9)0.002
Environmental oxygen17 (18.5)8 (9.8)0.5 (0.2 to 1.2)0.10
Low-flow nasal prongs2 (2.2)2 (2.4)1.1 (0.2 to 6.5)1
HFNP2 (2.2)3 (3.7)1.7 (0.3 to 10.6)0.56
CPAP48 (52.2)37 (45.1)0.8 (0.4 to 1.4)0.35
MV8 (8.7)30 (36.6)6.1 (2.4 to 15.0)<0.001
MS on chest X-ray,‡ n (%)25 (33.8)37 (72.6)4.9 (2.3 to 10.7)<0.001
Prior needle aspiration40 (43.5)55 (67.1)2.6 (1.4 to 4.9)0.002
Fluid bolus administration38 (41.3)37 (45.1)1.23 (0.7 to 2.2)0.54
Inotropic support4 (4.4)8 (9.8)2.4 (0.7 to 7.7)0.23
Distance to referring unit (km),§ n (%)
0–6067 (72.8)51 (62.2)0.6 (0.3 to 1.2)0.15
61–16015 (16.3)19 (23.2)1.5 (0.7 to 3.2)0.34
>16110 (10.9)12 (14.6)1.4 (0.6 to 3.4)0.50
Mode of transport from referring unit, n (%)
Road ambulance81 (88.0)70 (85.4)0.8 (0.3 to 1.9)0.60
Rotary wing2 (2.2)3 (3.7)1.7 (0.3 to 10.6)0.56
Fixed wing9 (9.8)9 (11.0)1.1 (0.4 to 3.0)0.80
  • *Only if on HFNP/CPAP/MV (n=58 no ICC, n=70 with ICC).

  • †Need for IPPV at birth only documented in 167 neonates (n=91 no ICC, n=76 with ICC).

  • ‡Presence or absence of MS only available for 125 neonates (n=74 no ICC, n=51 with ICC).

  • §Distance of referring unit defined by straight line distance from Melbourne General Post Office: Metropolitan (<60 km), inner regional (61–160 km) and rural (>161 km).

  • Apgar, appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration; CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; FiO2, fraction of inspired oxygen; HFNP, High-Flow Nasal Prongs; ICC, intercostal catheter; IPPV, Intermittent positive pressure ventilation; MS, mediastinal shift; MV, mechanical ventilation; NA, not applicable.