Transport of premature infants is associated with increased risk for intraventricular haemorrhage

Abstract

Background Intraventricular haemorrhages (IVH) greatly impact the outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. This study examines the correlation between inter-hospital transport and the incidence and severity of IVH in VLBW infants in a large cohort of data. Methods The US National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS) and its KID subportion were analysed for the years 1997–2004. Infants Results A total of 67 596 VLBW infants were included in the study. Overall incidence of IVH in the sample was 14.7%; the transport group had more IVH compared to inborn group (27.4% vs 13.42%): adjusted OR 1.75 (95% CI 1.64 to 1.86; pConclusion Inter-hospital transport of VLBW Infants is correlated with increased incidence and severity of IVH. This correlation has remained constant over the recent years.