[Effect of age of erythrocyte concentration administered to premature infants: a retrospective study]

Traditionally fresh red blood cells (RBCs, age less than 10 days) are used for neonatal transfusion. Retrospectively we studied the influence of the age (range 2-34 days, divided into age groups 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28, 29-35 days) of RBCs on hemoglobin, pH, bicarbonate, and potassium after administration of a small amount of packed RBC (10-15 ml/kg). We reviewed the hospital records of 58 preterm infants (mean birth weight 1316 +/- 543 g, mean gestational age 30 6/7 +/- 3 weeks) who received 201 transfusions (mean of 3.5 RBC transfusions per infant; range 1-22). Following transfusion there was a significant increase in hemoglobin in all age groups. No significant change occurred in pH, bicarbonate or potassium. We conclude that RBCs used for neonatal transfusions do not need to be fresh. Multiple donor exposure of neonates can be limited by splitting blood of a single donor into small portions and using them up to 35 days.