Sudden death following white cell transfusion in a premature infant

A 1,700-g, 31 weeks' gestational age infant developed early onset Group B streptococcal septicemia associated with shock and respiratory distress. The infant was treated with antibiotics, exchange transfusion, and white cell transfusion. The infant improved, and then acutely deteriorated following the third white cell transfusion. Cause of death was presumed to be pulmonary sequestration of white cells or anaphylaxis.