[Comparison of clinical outcomes in very low birth weight infants with anemia by different transfusion strategies].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the risks and benefits of two transfusion strategies (liberal-transfusion and restrictive-transfusion), as judged by the clinical progress and outcome, in very low birth weight infants.


METHODS
The clinical data of 93 hospitalized very low birth weight infants who required blood transfusions were retrospectively studied. The infants were assigned to either the liberal transfusion group (n=58), with higher hematocrit levels, or the restrictive-transfusion group (n=35), with lower hematocrit levels.


RESULTS
The infants in the restrictive-transfusion group received more numbers of RBC transfusions compared with the liberal-transfusion group (2.6+/-1.8 vs 1.8+/-1.0; p<0.05). Liberal-transfusion was associated with faster weight gain and the duration to return to the birth weight averaged 10 days in the liberal-transfusion group compared with 13 days in the restrictive-transfusion group (p<0.01). The infants in the liberal-transfusion group had shorter duration of mechanical ventilation than in the restrictive-transfusion group (5.5+/-4.2 days vs 8.0+/- 5.9 days; p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of apnea and nosocomial infections between two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests the possible benefits from liberal-transfusion for clinical recovery in very low birth weight infants. The restrictive transfusion does not decrease the number of transfusions. It in fact increases the number of clinical indicated transfusions. Neonatologists should weigh the advantages and disadvantages on transfusions to make the optimal decision.
Shen
Xiao-Xia
XX
Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
DU
Li-Zhong
LZ
Shi
Li-Ping
LP
Ma
Xiao-Lu
XL
D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies