Neonatal red cell transfusion
Neonates are defined as babies up to 28 days after birth. Most extremely preterm babies (less than 28 weeks) require at least one red cell transfusion; this is partly due to the amount of blood removed with blood samples compared to the baby's total blood volume (iatrogenic anemia) and partly due to anemia of prematurity. Most transfusions are given as small volume top-up transfusions to increase the baby's hemoglobin above a certain pre-defined level, or because the baby is unwell due to the anemia. Possible side-effects of anemia in babies can be poor growth, lethargy and episodes of apnea. Exchange blood transfusion is used to treat a rapidly rising bilirubin that does not respond to treatment with phototherapy or intravenous immunoglobulin. This is usually due to hemolytic disease of the newborn, but may also be due to other causes, e.g., G6PD deficiency. When to transfuse Below are suggested transfusion thresholds for very preterm neonates (less than 32 weeks gestation) by the British Society of Haematology. These are based on systematic reviews of transfusion in very preterm babies. There is no evidence for red cell transfusion thresholds in preterm neonates between 32 and 37 weeks gestation, and the British Society of