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. 2023 Nov;112(11):2317-2321.
doi: 10.1111/apa.16936. Epub 2023 Aug 10.

Hypothermia and adverse outcomes during the transfer of extremely low birth weight infants

Uche Ogunna  1   2 , Syed Mohinuddin  2 , Nandiran Ratnavel  2 , Anne Greenough  1 , Theodore Dassios  1   3
Affiliations

Hypothermia and adverse outcomes during the transfer of extremely low birth weight infants

Uche Ogunna et al. Acta Paediatr. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to explore whether hypothermia during the transfer of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants was associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of transfers of ELBW infants by the London Neonatal Transfer Service between April 2015 and January 2017. Hypothermia was defined as an axillary temperature below 36.5°C.

Results: Hypothermia was recorded in 36-47% of the 146 transfers depending on the time point of measurement from admission at the referring unit to admission at the receiving unit. Infants with hypothermia had a lower gestational age [25.1 (24.1-26.6) versus 26.0 (25.3-27.0) weeks, p < 0.001], birth weight [750 (600-830) versus 800 (730-885) gr, p = 0.004) and age at referral [1 (0.8-3) versus 1.5 (1-4) hours, p = 0.049] compared to infants without hypothermia. Infants with hypothermia had a longer median (IQR) duration of invasive ventilation [22(6-44) days] compared to infants without hypothermia [10 (4-21) days, p = 0.002]. Infants with hypothermia had a higher incidence of a patent ductus arteriosus and mortality before discharge from neonatal care compared to infants without hypothermia (79% vs. 27%, p = 0.043 and 29% vs. 13%, p = 0.025, respectively).

Conclusion: Among ELBW infants, hypothermia during transfer was common, particularly in infants of lower gestational age. Hypothermia was associated with a longer duration of ventilation and increased mortality before discharge from neonatal care.

Keywords: hypothermia; mortality; transport; ventilation.

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References

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