The Challenge of Car Safety Seats

Abstract

In newborn intensive care units and special care nurseries throughout the United States, the discharge process typically includes a ritual known as the seat challenge. The preterm infant, now of sufficient health and size to safely venture home, is first placed in a car seat, connected to a vital signs monitor and pulse oximeter, and then observed for an extended period of time. If specified parameters are achieved, the infant is deemed ready to safely travel in a car seat without the risk of untoward cardiopulmonary compromise. Given the objective data obtained from a car seat challenge (number of apneic episodes, oxygen saturation values, and so on) one might suppose that the test is based on carefully considered scientific evidence. However, reviews of published literature speak to a different story Language: en