Improving diagnostic accuracy in the transport of infants with suspected duct-dependent congenital heart disease

Abstract

Aim To identify factors that distinguish duct-dependent congenital heart disease (DDCHD) from non-DDCHD in newborn infants. Method A retrospective, cohort study. The Newborn Emergency Transport Service, Victoria (NETS) is a retrieval service for all inter-hospital neonatal transfers, and the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne (RCH) is a paediatric cardiac referral centre for the state of Victoria, Australia. All infants ≤10 days and ≥34 weeks gestation with suspected CHD and/or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), transferred by NETS from non-tertiary neonatal units to RCH, over a 4-year period. Results Of 142 eligible infants, 81 had DDCHD and 61 had non-DDCHD, of whom..