This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

Primary Objective:

To determine whether specialty transport teams compared with non‐specialty transport teams affect neonatal mortality and morbidity among newborn infants in need of transport to neonatal intensive care.

Secondary Objective:

To determine the effect on outcome depending on the types of specialty teams, gestational age, birth weight, disease severity and mode of transport for newborns requiring transfer to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Subgroups:

Population subgroups:
1. Type of specialty teams:
In various combinations consisting of at least two people of the following
a. Medical ‐ neonatologist, neonatal trainee, paediatrician, others
b. Nursing ‐ general nurse, neonatal specialist, neonatal nurse practitioner, midwife
c. Combination

2. Gestational age:
a. < 32 weeks
b. > 32 weeks

3. Birth weight:
a. < 1500 grams
b. > 1500 grams

4. Disease severity prior to the arrival of the transport team at referring hospitals
a. Respiratory support required
i. Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) ‐ < 0.40, > 0.40
ii. Mean airway pressure ‐ < 10 mmHg, > 10 mmHg
iii. Oxygenation index ‐< 25, > 25
iv. Need for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
b. Hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) ‐ Sarnat Stage 1, 2 or 3 (Sarnat 1976)
c. Congenital abnormalities

5. Mode of transport
a. Road
b. Air (helicopters or airplanes)

6. Level of perinatal care at referring site