[Erythrocyte transfusions in a neonatal intensive care unit].
BACKGROUND
This study present a review of erythrocyte transfusions in a neonatal intensive care unit in a Norwegian county hospital.


METHODS
Prospective registration 1991-2002. A leucokyte-depleted erythrocyte solution, haematocrit 60%, was used.


RESULTS
28 infants in circulatory collapse received 30 transfusions because of asphyxia (15), twin-twin transfusion (5), septicaemia (3), umbilical cord rupture (3) or other causes (4). Haemoglobin increased 1.8 +/- 1.4 g/dl per 10 ml/kg transfused, compared to 2.6 +/- 1.2 g/dl in 183 transfusions for anaemia in 122 infants (p < 0.05). All transfusions (n = 115) after the first week of life were given because of anaemia, 107 in preterm (< 37 weeks) infants, and at higher haemoglobin levels in preterm infants with anaemia symptoms than in those without (9.7 +/- 1.5 vs. 8.5 +/- .2 g/dl, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The rise in haemoglobin was higher for transfusions for anaemia than for circulatory collapse, probably because of dilution from other fluids given and mobilisation of extravascular fluid in the last group. A substantial percentage of the transfusions were given on indications deviating from the guidelines.
Nestaas
Eirik
E
Sykehuset i Vestfold Tønsberg. nestaas@start.no
Holtmon
Lena W
LW
Johansen
Kari B
KB
Meberg
Alf
A
D000740:Anemia / Q000628:therapy; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D009664:Norway; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012769:Shock / Q000628:therapy
D006454:Hemoglobins