Warmed Blood Transfusion in Premature Infants

Plain-language summary

Premature babies have to deal with many problems from the moment they are born due to the immature of their organs. Their clinical condition is unstable, especially in the first few weeks, and they are greatly affected by environmental factors. During this period, blood transfusion may be needed for many reasons such as intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis. In addition, multiple blood draws to evaluate irregular metabolic, hematological and biochemical findings result in anemia and the need for blood transfusion. There are many algorithms regarding blood transfusion indications and transfusion limits in premature babies. However, there are no strict rules regarding the application of warming before blood transfusion, but it is recommended by some guidelines. Especially in unstable babies such as advanced premature babies, it is recommended to give blood by heating it at physiological temperature to avoid important complications such as hypothermia, coagulopathy and rhythm disturbances. Premature babies, whose hemodynamic and metabolic balance is very sensitive, may go into hypothermia when blood and products stored at +4C⁰ are given without heating. In routine practice, blood transfusion is performed without heating. The concern here is that hemolysis may develop by heating the blood. Studies have shown that hemolysis occurs when blood is heated above 46C⁰. In this study, physiological heating is planned. In vitro neonatal experimental modeling has shown that there is no hemolysis with physiological heating. The aim of the researchers is; While protecting fragile, extremely premature babies from the complications of cold transfusion, the aim is to compare the transfusion groups with and without physiological heating in terms of hemolysis, metabolic balance and cerebral tissue oxygenation.

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