Abstract 164

Aim: To study two commercially available methods of humidifying inspired gases for AV during newborn transport.

Subjects: 136 infants less than 48 hours of age requiring AV during interhospital transfer by the single specialized statewide newborn transport service.

Methods: Infants randomly allocated to either passive hygroscopic condenser humidifier (HCH) or battery operated active heater humidifier (HH). Outcomes measured were change in infant temperature and respiratory status in transit, humidification system failures, hospital stay, survival and cost.

Results: Infant characteristics are shown in Table 1. There was no significant difference in change in body temperature (0.4°C HCH v 0.7°C HH), oxygenation index (-1.0 v-0.2), ventilation index (-1.5 v -0.9). Level III hospital days (5 v 4), chronic lung disease (5% v 2%) and survival (96% v 100%) were similar. 2 HCH were replaced during transfer and once the HH battery system failed. No endotracheal tube blockages occurred and 45 infants (28HCH, 17 HH) received surfactant before transport. Disposable costs for HCH were one third of the HH costs. Subanalysis for infants with initial temperatures <36.4°C (n= 22) and those < 30 weeks gestation (n=19) were consistent with the entire study group results. Subanalysis for infants with initial temperatures<36.4°C (n = 22) and those < 30 weeks gestation (n=19) were consistent with the entire study group results.

TABLE 1 Infant characteristics
Full size table

Conclusions: Passive humidification of inspired gases is a satisfactory option for use during newborn emergency transport.