Emergency use of uncrossmatched red cells in neonatal intensive care infants

In very rare situations, a newborn will be delivered with severe unrecognized life-threatening anemia. Two infants with severe anemia with differing etiologies were deemed to require emergency uncrossmatched O-negative blood. In one infant, the blood transfused was incompatible for the minor antigen that had caused the isoimmune hemolytic anemia. We report on the indications, potential risks and benefits in giving uncrossmatched O-negative blood to term infants with life-threatening anemia.