Enhancement of neonatal neutrophil motility (chemotaxis) with adult fresh frozen plasma.

We examined the effect of adult fresh frozen plasma (FFP) on neonatal neutrophil (PMN) motility (chemotaxis) using a micropore filter assay. Adult FFP was transfused into 13 neonates receiving FFP transfusion for suspected life-threatening sepsis. Blood was obtained from neonates before and after FFP transfusion for assessment of PMN chemotaxis. An increase in PMN chemotaxis was noted in 12 of the 13 neonates following FFP transfusion, with a mean percentage increase of 12 +/- 3% (p less than 0.01). PMN chemotaxis increased 13 +/- 2% (p less than 0.01) in four bacteremic infants and 11 +/- 5% (p = 0.06) in nine infants without bacteremia. Adult FFP transfusion may enhance impaired neonatal PMN motility and improve outcome from infection in newborn infants.