Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
Transfusion Histories of Neonates Who Developed Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity
Bailey B Zeiler1, M Elizabeth Hartnett2, Joel L Addams3
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, bailey.zeiler@hsc.utah.edu.
Introduction:
The recent BORN study suggests the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) might be significantly reduced by transfusing extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) with red blood cells (RBCs) not from adult donors, but from umbilical cord blood. We are uncertain what proportion of infants with severe ROP had no RBC transfusions and thus would not benefit from changing transfusion practice.
Methods:
We created detailed transfusion histories of all infants in our health system (2021-2024) who developed severe ROP.
Results:
Severe (stage ≥3) ROP was diagnosed in 34 infants; 32 of these had received 1-18 RBC transfusions. Eleven also received 1-16 platelet transfusions. Two received no transfusions.
Conclusion:
A small minority of infants with severe ROP were never transfused, thus changing transfusion practice would not likely prevent all cases. However, the great majority had multiple RBC transfusions and thus might benefit from cord blood RBC transfusions.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
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...
01:19Rh Blood Group
01:15Blood Transfusion
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...