Abstract
Objective
We sought to describe the degree of temperature elevation (∆T) among children transported
in a subtropical climate (Florida) via fixed wing aircraft and identify potential
relationships between patient weight and ∆T.
Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study in children < 18 years of age undergoing
interfacility transport via fixed wing aircraft from January 2016 through July 2020.
The study outcomes were ∆T, maximum patient temperature, ambient temperature, and
heat index. Bivariate cohorts defined by patient weight (5 kg) were compared using
Fisher exact, Student t-, and Wilcoxon rank sum analyses. Exploratory testing included receiver operator
characteristic curve analyses and unadjusted logistic regression.
Results
Of the 58 children studied, 25 (43%) were ≤ 5 kg, and 33 (57%) were > 5 kg. Compared
with children > 5 kg, those ≤ 5 kg had greater ∆T (0.8° ± 0.6°C vs. 0.2° ± 0.3°C),
maximum patient temperature (37.3° ± 0.6°C vs. 36.8° ± 0.4°C), and proportion with
≥ 1°C ∆T (36% vs. 3%). No child > 5 kg had a temperature > 38°C, and no differences
were observed for heat index or ambient temperature. Receiver operating characteristic
analysis of patient weight on ∆T ≥ 1°C yielded an area under the curve of 0.86 (cutoff
of 3.5 kg; sensitivity = 81.3%, specificity = 80%). Patient weight was inversely associated
with ∆T ≥ 1°C (odds ratio = 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.96).
Conclusions
Young children appear at greatest risk for developing environmental hyperthermia during
interfacility fixed wing transport.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 22, 2020
Identification
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© 2020 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
