Neonatal and Pediatric Transport: A Contemporary Review

TL;DR

This paper reviews modern practices and technologies in transporting critically ill infants and children, emphasizing safety and system coordination.

Contribution

The paper offers an updated review of neonatal and pediatric transport practices, highlighting emerging technologies and future priorities.

Findings

Modern transport integrates critical care, aviation physiology, and coordinated systems.

Emerging areas include data-informed dispatch and real-time clinical decision support.

Future priorities focus on research, workforce development, and system design.

Abstract

Safe transport of critically ill infants and children is an essential component of high-quality, pediatric regionalized care. The modern transport environment blends principles of critical care medicine, aviation physiology, provider training, and coordinated systems of care. This review provides an updated examination of current practices in neonatal and pediatric transport, including team structure, clinical bundles, operational considerations, and emerging technologies. Special attention is given to rapidly evolving areas, including data-informed dispatch, real-time clinical decision support, and next-generation devices. The review closes with a discussion of future priorities for research, workforce development, and system design.

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