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Effect of blood transfusion on cardiorespiratory abnormalities in preterm infants
H Stute1, B Greiner, O Linderkamp
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Insights
Red blood cell transfusions significantly improved cardiorespiratory stability in preterm infants. These transfusions reduced the frequency of apnoea, bradycardia, and tachycardia, enhancing oxygen saturation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience cardiorespiratory instability.
- Apnea, bradycardia, and tachycardia are common issues in premature neonates.
- Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are a common intervention in neonatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of RBC transfusions on cardiorespiratory events in preterm infants.
- To quantify changes in apnea, bradycardia, tachycardia, and oxygen saturation post-transfusion.
Main Methods:
- Studied 25 preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 32 weeks).
- Monitored cardiorespiratory events for 72 hours before and after RBC transfusion.
- Measured changes in hemoglobin levels during transfusion.
Main Results:
- RBC transfusion increased hemoglobin levels from 78 to 117 g/l.
- Significant reductions observed in daily apnea (>15s), tachycardia (>200 bpm), and bradycardia (<100 bpm and <80 bpm) frequencies.
- Oxygen saturation improved in 20 out of 25 infants.
Conclusions:
- RBC transfusions demonstrate a beneficial effect on cardiorespiratory stability in preterm infants.
- The positive effects on cardiorespiratory parameters persist for several days post-transfusion.
- RBC transfusion is an effective intervention for managing cardiorespiratory issues in this vulnerable population.
Abstract:
The effects of red blood cell transfusion on the incidences of apnoea, bradycardia, tachycardia and oxygen desaturation over periods of 72 hours before and after transfusion were assessed in 25 infants with a gestational age of < or = 32 weeks (mean (SEM) 29.2 (0.4) weeks, birthweight 1170 (73) g; postnatal age at transfusion 39 (4) days). During transfusion haemoglobin rose from 78 (2) g/l to 117 (2) g/l. Significant decreases were observed in daily frequencies of apnoeas longer than 15 seconds (median from 2.7 to 0.9 events a day), tachycardias of more than 200 beats per minute (from 34 to 25 events per day), bradycardias below 100 beats per minute (from 65 to 12 events per day) and 80 beats per minute (from 8.4 to 3.3 events per day). Oxygen saturation improved in 20 of the infants. Transfusion improves cardiorespiration in preterm infants for several days.