Prognostic impact of complications during transport of critically ill children

Aims: Transport of critically ill children involves particularities that increase the risk of complications. The objective was to investigate the impact of these complications recorded during transport on overall mortality and hospital. discharge rate. Method: Two-step study: the first was a cross-sectional. study, in which, through standardized interviews with the doctor who admitted these children, potential. complications during transport were identified. Three independent doctors audited this data. The second step was a prospective cohort, where patients divided into two groups (with and without transport complications) were followed prospectively. Results: One hundred and forty-three children were included in the study. At [east one complication during transport was observed in 74 of them (52%). The most frequent complication was related to monitoring and device failures (42%). The occurrence of transport complications was associated with higher hospital. mortality (Hazard ratio (HR): 5.60; 95% confidence interval (95%Cl: 1.26 - 26.65; p = 0.013) and the Lowest hospital. discharge rate (HR: 0.48; 95%CI: 0.31 - 0.74; p = 0.0007). After Cox regression to adjust for confounding factors, the presence of complications remained associated with hospital. mortality (HR: 6.74; 95%CI: 1.40 - 32.34; p = 0.017), but no remained associated with hospital. discharge rate (HR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.49 - 1.16; p = 0213). Conclusion: The presence of complications during pediatric transport was frequent in metropolitan region of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.. The occurrence of complications was an independent predictor for hospital mortality.