Evidence · Systematic review or meta-analysis
Environmental factors and clinical markers of stress during neonatal transport: a systematic literature review .
- Medical
- Nursing
- Transport
- Transport and retrieval
Summary
A systematic review of 15 observational studies examining environmental exposures during neonatal transport by ground, rotor and fixed-wing ambulance, focusing on vibration, sound and ambient temperature. Clinical markers of stress reported included heart rate and heart rate variability, behavioural scales and salivary cortisol, though only four studies linked environmental exposures to neonatal physiology. The authors conclude that noise and vibration are consistently present and potentially harmful, but small samples and inconsistent measurement methods prevent firm conclusions. Relevant to retrieval and neonatal transport teams, highlighting the need for standardised monitoring protocols and further research.
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- Licence:
- Open (Creative Commons)
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