title: Which babies get blood in Jos, Nigeria?
abstract: Documentation of the transfusion needs of neonatal units is required to guide blood banks in meeting demands. A prospective observational study of newborn transfusions over 35 weeks was conducted. Eighty-four transfusions were conducted in 62 of 377 (16.45%) admitted infants in 35 weeks. Neonatal jaundice (57.2%) and anemia (38.1%) were main indications. In 85.7% cases, blood transfused was < 3 days old. Weight of infants at transfusion was < 2500 g in 51.6% cases. Infants were first transfused at < 7 days in 59.7% cases. Whole blood was used in 64.3% of all cases. Overall transfusion rate was 2.4/week. Neonatal jaundice is the commonest indication for transfusion and whole blood is in greater demand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. sundaypam@afrione.com
authors.forename: Sunday
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pam
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bode-Thomas
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akor
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ejeliogu
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000628:therapy; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000628:therapy; D009549:Nigeria