Issues in transfusing preterm infants in the NICU.
Decisions regarding whether or not to transfuse preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit are often difficult. Although numbers of red blood cell transfusions have decreased in recent years, transfusions are still a common occurrence. For each infant, the advantages of transfusion must be balanced against the consequences and potential risks. This article examines physiologic and iatrogenic causes of anemia in preterm infants, clinical consequences of anemia, the use of transfusions and their risks, and the role of erythropoietin therapy.
Bain
Annamarie
A
Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 2801 N Gantenbein Ave, Portland, OR 97227, USA. ABain@LHS.org
Blackburn
Susan
S
D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018570:Risk Assessment; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin