A case of transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates

A male infant, whose weight was 1 120 g at 28⁺² weeks of gestational age, was admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University at 20 min after preterm birth. Blood transfusion was performed for anemia (hemoglobin 81 g/L) on day 30 of hospitalization, and feeding was continued during the transfusion. Eight hours after blood transfusion, the patient's manifestations included abdominal distension and stiff to palpation, bowel sound weakening, currant jelly stool, poor responsiveness, and apnea. The clinical diagnosis was necrotizing enterocolitis. Abdominal X-ray showed that the abdominal bowel was significantly dilated and inflated. The patient was immediately treated with fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, enema, and anti-infection treatment. After 40 days in hospital, the patient recovered and was discharged.