AB013. Hazards of neonatal transfusion

Abstract: Blood forms an important part of the therapeutic armamentarium of the neonatologist. Very small premature neonates are amongst the most common of all patient groups to receive extensive transfusions. The risks of blood transfusion in today’s age of rigid blood banking laws, while infrequent, are not trivial. Therefore, as with any therapy used in the newborn, it is essential that one considers the risk- benefit ratio and strive to develop treatment strategies that will result in the best patient outcomes. In addition, the relatively immature immune status of the neonate predisposes them to Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD), in addition to other complications including transmission of infections, oxidant damage, allo-immunization and so on. Since neonatal physiology varies with the maturity, age, weight and the presence of morbidities, it is difficult to formulate one parameter to guide all transfusion decisions.

Keywords: Evidence; challenges; potential implications of current practise; transfusion guidelines