The Effect of the Transfusion Protocol on Transfusion Rates and Short-term Outcomes of Preterm Infants in a Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The aim of this study was to compare the epochs before and after the revision of the transfusion guideline, and determine their effects on transfusion rates and short-term outcomes in preterm infants.

This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the effect of the new transfusion guideline. Infants who were born <32 weeks of gestation and received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in their first 6-weeks of life were divided into two epochs according to adopting the new transfusion guideline. The demographic and clinical data of the patients were compared between these two periods.

Fifty-six infants were included (Period 1, n=22; Period, n=34). The number of transfusions, total and cumulative volume of the transfusions were similar in the two periods. There was an inverse relationship between the gestational age and the number of transfusions in both periods (r=-0.575, p=0.005, and r=-0.494, p=0.003), and there was an inverse relationship between the birth weight and the number of transfusions in period 2 (r=-0.423, p=0.013). The ratio of total phlebotomy volume to estimated total blood volume was higher in period 2 (p=0.029). There was a direct relationship between the phlebotomy loss and volume of RBC transfused in period 2 (r=0.487, p=0.003). The incidence of morbidities was similar in the two periods.

Changing only the transfusion protocol did not decrease the transfusion number. Although transfusion guidelines were adopted rigorously, it seems to be impossible to reduce RBC transfusion rates unless anemia prevention strategies were also in place.