Predicting red blood cell transfusions in very low birth weight infants based on clinical risk factors.

Authors

David A. Paul, Medical Center of Delaware; Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Stephen A. Pearlman, Medical Center of Delaware; Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Kathleen H. Leef, Medical Center of DelawareFollow
John L. Stefano, Medical Center of Delaware; Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-1997

Comments

This article is published in the Delaware Medical Journal, 1997 Nov;69(11):555-61. © Medical Society of Delaware

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical factors most predictive of red blood cell transfusion in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of VLBW infants cared for at a single level III NICU during a two year period, n = 199.

RESULTS: Overall transfusion requirement was 4.6 +/- 6.2 transfusions/infant/hospital course. Length of hospital stay, days of mechanical ventilation, requirement for dopamine support, birth weight, initial hematocrit, periventricular leukomalacia and necrotizing enterocolitis all independently correlated with number of transfusions and donors. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus were associated with donor but not transfusion number.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data characterize the population of VLBW infants with the greatest blood transfusion and donor requirement. Further investigation is needed to target this population for interventions to reduce blood exposure.

Recommended Citation

Paul, David A.; Pearlman, Stephen A.; Leef, Kathleen H.; and Stefano, John L., "Predicting red blood cell transfusions in very low birth weight infants based on clinical risk factors." (1997). Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers. Paper 47.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/pedsfp/47

PubMed ID

9401214