The effect of blood transfusion to maintain a preset packed cell volume (PCV) level in preterm ventilated infants has been investigated. Fifty infants, median gestational age 26 (range 23-33) weeks and postnatal age 4 (1-29) days, transfused a median of 15 ml/kg of blood in response to a PCV < or = 40% were retrospectively identified and their medical records reviewed to determine the change in PCV and haemoglobin resulting from the transfusions. In addition, their mean airway pressure (MAP) was noted and, as an index of oxygenation, their oxygenation index (OI), alveolar/arterial oxygen gradient (AaDO2) and arterial/alveolar (a/A) ratio calculated 12 h, 6 h and immediately prior to the transfusion and immediately post, 12, 18 and 24 h after the transfusion. The transfusion improved the PCV and haemoglobin (P < 0.0001). No significant changes in MAP or level of oxygenation were experienced in the 12 h prior to the transfusion. Post transfusion, despite no significant change in MAP, the AaDO2 OI and a/A ratios compared to immediately prior to the transfusion were significantly better at 12, 18 and 24 h.
Conclusion: It is useful to transfuse ventilated preterm infants to maintain their PCV above a preset level.