Effect of Minimization of Early Blood Sampling Losses Among Extremely Premature Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of blood sampling stewardship on transfusion requirements among infants born extremely preterm.

Study Design: In this single-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT), infants born at <28 weeks of gestation and birth weight of <1000 g were randomized at 24 hours of age to two different blood sampling approaches: restricted sampling (RS) vs conventional sampling (CS). The stewardship intervention in the RS group included targeted reduction in blood sampling volume and frequency and point of care testing methods in the first 6 weeks after birth.