Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

8.6K

Blood transfusion in preterm infants improves intestinal tissue oxygenation without alteration in blood flow

J Banerjee1,2,3, T S Leung4, N Aladangady1,2,5

  • 1Neonatal Unit, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Vox Sanguinis
|August 11, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Blood transfusions improve intestinal oxygenation in preterm infants by increasing splanchnic tissue oxygenation index (sTOI) and hemoglobin index (sTHI), without altering superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow velocity.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Preterm infants often require blood transfusions.
  • Assessing the impact of transfusions on splanchnic circulation is crucial for preterm infant care.
  • Postnatal age may influence the response to transfusion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate splanchnic blood flow velocity and oximetry in preterm infants undergoing blood transfusion.
  • To analyze these responses in relation to the infant's postnatal age.

Main Methods:

  • Doppler ultrasound measured superior mesenteric artery (SMA) peak systolic velocity (PSV).
  • Near-infrared spectroscopy assessed splanchnic tissue hemoglobin index (sTHI), oxygenation index (sTOI), and fractional tissue oxygen extraction (sFTOE).
  • Infants were grouped by postnatal age: 1-7 days, 8-28 days, and ≥29 days.

Main Results:

  • Pretransfusion SMA PSV varied with postnatal age but did not significantly change post-transfusion.
  • Splanchnic tissue hemoglobin index (sTHI) and oxygenation index (sTOI) increased significantly post-transfusion in all groups (P < 0.01).
  • Fractional tissue oxygen extraction (sFTOE) decreased significantly post-transfusion (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants' baseline splanchnic oximetry and blood flow differ based on postnatal age.
  • Blood transfusion effectively enhances intestinal tissue oxygenation.
  • Mesenteric blood flow velocity remains unchanged post-transfusion, regardless of postnatal age.
Abstract

Keywords:
strategytransfusiontransfusion - pediatricstransfusion medicine (in general)

More Related Videos

Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants11:39

Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants

Published on: March 14, 2013

21.2K
Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

767

Related Concept Videos

Blood Transfusion and Agglutination02:45

Blood Transfusion and Agglutination

Blood transfusion is a therapeutic measure to restore the blood volume after extensive blood loss due to an accident or a medical procedure. Blood transfusion involves drawing a certain amount of blood from a suitable donor and infusing it into the recipient.
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
15.4K
Blood Transfusion01:15

Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is a critical medical procedure that saves lives and treats various medical conditions. It involves transferring blood from a donor to a recipient. This process requires a thorough understanding of the ABO blood group system and its associated antigens and antibodies.
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
2.8K
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
4.2K
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants01:22

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants

Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
2.2K