title: Biomarkers to decide red blood cell transfusion in newborn infants.
abstract: Almost 90% of extremely low birthweight infants receive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during their stay in the neonatal unit (NNU). Currently most NNUs use a combination of clinical signs and laboratory findings such as hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and cardiorespiratory or ventilation status to decide the need for RBC transfusion. Various other laboratory (lactate, reticulocyte count, RBC volume) and bedside measurements (near infrared spectroscopy and Doppler ultrasound scan) have been investigated to identify a suitable trigger for RBC transfusion in newborn infants. The evidence to apply any of these investigations or measurements to clinical practice is lacking. Further research is required to identify a suitable biomarker for RBC transfusion in newborn infants.
authors.affiliation: Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; The Portland Hospital for Women and Children, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jayanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Narendra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aladangady
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003657:Decision Making; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000592:standards*; D004911:Erythrocyte Volume; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins