ABSTRACT

The frequency of transfusion is high in infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There is a higher risk of transfusion complications compared to other age groups, and there are many special considerations for transfusion in neonates. The aim of this study was to investigate the records of infants who had blood product transfusions in NICU, to investigate which patient groups were transfused, the characteristics of the blood products used and the current transfusion practices.

Between November 2013 and May 2018, the records of 968 newborn infants admitted to the Istanbul Hospital NICU of Başkent University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed.

Of the babies, 43.8% were female, median birth weight was 2598 (1478 - 3228) grams, median birth week was 36.5 (30 - 39) weeks and median hospitalization days were 32 (15 - 67.5) days. The most commonly used blood group was A Rh (+), the least used blood group AB Rh (-). 39.9% of the transfusions were fresh frozen plasma, 36.2% erythrocyte and 23.5% platelet suspension. In addition to prematurity and related diseases, diseases requiring surgery of central nervous system, congenital heart or gastrointestinal system diseases were the most common transfused group. According to term babies, the rate of use of thrombocyte suspension was higher in preterm infants, however the rate of use of other products was similar.

Knowledge of the selection, preparation of blood products to be used in transfusion and the specific methods for reducing the risks of transfusion will reduce the potential risks and increase the safety of transfusion.