Aeromedical Transport in Children: A Descriptive Analysis of 96 Cases.

Objective: Pediatric aeromedical transport (AT) is highly challenging. We aim to describe a series of 96 cases of children requiring medical transport in terms of the indication, modalities, and related adverse events.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we included air-transported patients less than 18 years old.

Results: During the study period, 96 patients, with median age of 120 months (range, 0-204), were air transported. The reason for AT was repatriation to the home country from another hospital in 65 (67.7%), whereas for 31 (32.3%) patients, it was for transport from a hospital to another for a special procedure. The main diagnosis was trauma surgery (n = 38; 39.5%). Fifteen (15.6%) patients were mechanically ventilated. No patient sustained serious adverse events during the flight. Patients were transported by an air ambulance or by a scheduled aircraft in 55.2% and 44.8%, respectively. The median flight distance was 822 km (range, 277-9878), and most of the ATs were intra-European (n = 41; 42.7%).

Conclusion: This study describes an international experience in providing AT services for pediatric clinical cases. Among pediatric patients, the younger ones constitute a specific population, and most of them require mechanical ventilation. Therefore, the transport of these patients seems to be more appropriate in a dedicated air ambulance.