Importance: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are frequently administered to preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Two randomized clinical trials (Effects of Transfusion Thresholds on Neurocognitive Outcomes of Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants [ETTNO] and Transfusion of Prematures [TOP]) found that liberal RBC transfusion thresholds are nonsuperior to restrictive thresholds, but the extent to which these results have been integrated into clinical practice since publication in 2020 is unknown.
Objective: To describe neonatal RBC transfusion practice in Europe.
Background: Newborns are at high risk of sepsis. At present there is no definitive "rule in" blood test for sepsis at the point of clinical concern. A positive blood culture remains the gold standard test for neonatal sepsis, however laboratory markers that correlate prospectively with culture positive sepsis could aid clinicians in making decisions regarding administration of empiric antibiotic therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: Blood component transfusion is a common intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Parents consent on their babies' behalf. This study aimed to explore parents' understandings and experiences of consenting and the subsequent blood transfusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Studies have demonstrated increased morbidity and mortality with platelet transfusions in the neonatal period. Platelets are as important for host immunity and inflammation as for hemostasis. Increased inflammation may explain the dose-associated increase in mortality, bleeding, and lung disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
December 2023
Objective: To assess the safety and feasibility of platelet transfusion through small-bore long lines used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), including double-lumen umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) and 24 G and 28 G peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs).
Design: Prospective in vitro controlled study.
Setting: Blood transfusion service laboratory.
Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
September 2023
Objective: Assess mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of corrected age in children who participated in the PlaNeT-2/MATISSE (Platelets for Neonatal Transfusion - 2/Management of Thrombocytopenia in Special Subgroup) study, which reported that a higher platelet transfusion threshold was associated with significantly increased mortality or major bleeding compared to a lower one.
Design: Randomised clinical trial, enrolling from June 2011 to August 2017. Follow-up was complete by January 2020.
Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
May 2023
Objective: In adult patients with acute respiratory failure, nasal high-flow (NHF) therapy at the time of intubation can decrease the duration of hypoxia. The objective of this pilot study was to calculate duration of peripheral oxygen saturation below 75% during single and multiple intubation attempts in order to inform development of a larger definitive trial.
Design And Setting: This double-blinded randomised controlled pilot trial was conducted at a single, tertiary neonatal centre from October 2020 to October 2021.
Semin Fetal Neonatal Med
August 2021
Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is associated with abnormality of neurological function and involves multiorgan dysfunction. There are long-term complications such as cerebral palsy and developmental delay. Cardiac, renal, neurological and other organ dysfunctions are well described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPreterm neonates with severe thrombocytopenia are frequently prescribed prophylactic platelet transfusions despite no evidence of benefit. Neonatal platelet transfusion practice varies, both nationally and internationally. Volumes and rates of transfusion in neonatology are based on historic precedent and lack an evidence base.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The objective of the study was to assess the variability in the management of paediatric MHT in European emergency departments (EDs).
Methods: This was a multicentre retrospective study of children ≤18 years old with minor head trauma (MHT) (Glasgow Coma Scale ≥14) who presented to 15 European EDs between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 31. Data on clinical characteristics, imaging tests, and disposition of included patients were collected at each hospital over a 3-year period.
Thrombocytopenia is common in preterm neonates. Thresholds for prophylactic platelet transfusion vary widely due to lack of evidence. The results of the PlaNet-2/MATISSE Study identified harm in the form of mortality and major bleed in babies prophylactically transfused below a platelet count of 50 × 10/L compared to 25 × 10/L.
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