Impact of the volume of blood collected by phlebotomy on transfusion requirements in preterm infants with birth weight of less than 1500 g. A quasi-experimental study.

Introduction: Anemia is a complication in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, and lab tests are a predominant risk factor. At least one red blood cell transfusion is given in more than 50 % of cases. Transfusions are associated with a higher risk for infections, intracranial hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.