Turkish Neonatal Society guideline on the transfusion principles in newborns

Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion as a Predictor of Moderate-Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Comparative Cohort Study of Very Preterm Infants

OBJECTIVE

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units. Our aim was to evaluate association between packed red blood cell transfusion and the development of BPD in very preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective study of very preterm infants (mean gestational age: 27.1 ± 2.4 weeks, birth weight: 970 ± 271 g) was conducted at Biruni University (Turkey) between July 2016 and December 2020.

RESULTS

BPD developed in 107 of the 246 enrolled neonates, including 47 (43.9%), 27 (25.3%), and 33 (30.8%) diagnosed with mild, moderate, and severe BPD, respectively. A total of 728 transfusions were administered. The increased number (4 transfusions [2-7] vs. 1 [1-3], p = 0.001) and volume of transfusions (75 mL/kg volume [40-130] vs. 20 [15-43], p = 0.001) were significantly higher in infants with BPD compared to those without BPD. The transfusion volume cut-off for the prediction of BPD by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 42 mL/kg (sensitivity 73.6%; specificity 75%; area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve: 0.82). In multivariate analysis, multiple transfusions and larger transfusion volume were independent risk factors for moderate-severe BPD.

CONCLUSION

The increased number and volume of transfusions were associated with BPD in very preterm infants. A packed red blood cell transfusion volume ≥42 mL/kg was a statistically significant predictor of the development of BPD at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks.

KEY POINTS

· Transfusions were found to be an important risk factor for BPD development in very premature infants.. · Number and volume of transfusion were associated with the severity of BPD.. · Optimal cut point volume of transfusion for prediction of BPD was 42 mL/kg body weight..

Evaluation of the efficacy and associated complications of regional citrate anticoagulation in neonates: experience from a fourth level neonatal intensive care unit

Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) use has increased in recent years, but anticoagulation is a challenge for neonates. Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is rarely preferred in neonates because of citrate accumulation (CA) and metabolic complications. We aimed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of RCA in neonates. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 11 neonates treated with RCA-CKRT between 2018 and 2023. The initial dose of RCA was 2.1-3 mmol/l, and then, its dose was increased according to the level of ionized calcium (iCa+2) in the circuit and patients. The total/iCa+2 ratio after-treatment > 2.5 was indicated as CA. We evaluated to citrate dose, CA, circuit lifespan, and dialysis effectivity. The median gestational age was 39 (36.4-41.5) weeks, the median body weight (BW) was 3200 (2400-4000) grams, and the mean postnatal age was 4 (2-24) days. The most common indication for CKRT was hyperammonemia (73%). All neonates had metabolic acidosis and hypocalcemia during CKRT. Other common metabolic complications were hypophosphatemia (90%), hypokalemia (81%), and hypomagnesemia (63%). High dialysate rates with a median of 5765 ml/h/1.73 m2 allowed for a rapid decrease in ammonia levels to normal. Four patients (36.3%) had CA, and seven (63.7%) did not (non-citrate accumulation, NCA). Mean BW, median postnatal age, biochemical parameters, coagulation tests, and ammonia levels were similar between the CA and NCA groups. Low pH, low HCO3, high lactate, and SNAPPE-II scores could be associated with a higher T/iCa ratio.

CONCLUSION

 RCA was an efficient and safe anticoagulation for neonates requiring CKRT. Metabolic complications may occur, but they could be managed with adequate supplementation.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) has become popular in recent years due to its successful treatment of fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, multi-organ failure, and hyperleucinemia/hyperammonemia associated with inborn errors of metabolism. • The need for anticoagulation is the major difficulty in neonatal CKRT. In adult and pediatric patients, regional citrate anticoagulation has been shown to be effective.

WHAT IS NEW

• RCA is an effective and safe anticoagulation method for neonates who require CKRT. • Electrolyte imbalances and metabolic acidosis could be managed with adequate supplementation and appropriate treatment parameters such as citrate dose, blood flow rate, and dialysate flow rate.

The Usability of Platelet Mass Index Thresholds to Assess the Repeated Platelet Transfusion Requirements in Neonates

To evaluate the usability of platelet mass index (PMI) thresholds to assess the repeated platelet transfusion requirements in neonates who have received transfusion within the previous six days. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted with neonates who received prophylactic platelet transfusion. The PMI was calculated as platelet count (× 1000/mm3) × mean platelet volume (MPV) (fL). Platelet transfusions were divided into two groups as first (Group 1) and repeated transfusions (Group 2). The increment and percentage of increment in platelet counts, MPV and PMI after transfusion were compared between the two groups. The amounts of changes were calculated as: (Post-transfusion) - (Pre-transfusion values). The percentages of changes were calculated as: ([Post-transfusion - Pre-transfusion values]/Pre-tansfusion values) × 100. Eighty three platelet transfusions were analyzed in 28 neonates. The median gestational age and birth weight were 34.5 (26-37) weeks, and 2225 (752.5-2937.5) grams, respectively. There were 20 (24.1%) transfusions in Group 1, and 63 (75.9%) transfusions in Group 2. There were no differences in the amounts of changes in platelet counts, MPV and PMI between the groups (p > 0.05). When the percentages of changes were analyzed, it was found that the platelet counts and PMI in Group 1 increased to a greater extent compared to Group 2 (p = 0.026, p = 0.039, respectively), but no significant difference was found in MPV between the groups (p = 0.081). The lower percentage of change in PMI in Group 2 was associated with the lower percentage of change in platelet counts. Being transfused with adult platelets did not affect platelet volume of the neonates. Therefore, PMI thresholds can be used in neonates with a history of platelet transfusion.

Efficacy and safety of endotracheal instillation of iloprost for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy and safety of endotracheal instillation of iloprost as a rescue therapy for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

METHODS

Neonates diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension who were unresponsive to standard treatment protocol applied for persistent pulmonary hypertension in our unit, and who were being followed up with mechanical ventilation, were included in the study. Iloprost was instilled endotracheally as a rescue treatment. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure, oxygen saturation index, mean airway pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, preductal and postductal venous oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure were recorded before and after 30 minutes of endotracheal iloprost instillation. Adverse events after endotracheal iloprost were recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty neonates were included. The median gestational age and birth weight were found to be 37 (30.5-38) weeks and 2975 (2125-3437.5) grams, respectively. When compared to the period before endotracheal iloprost instillation, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, oxygen saturation index, mean airway pressure, and fraction of inspired oxygen values significantly decreased (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.021, p = 0.001, respectively), whereas preductal and postductal oxygen saturation values significantly increased 30 minutes after the endotracheal iloprost instillation (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in heart rate and blood pressure values before and after the iloprost administration. No adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

Endotracheal instillation of iloprost was found to be an effective and safe therapy for persistent pulmonary hypertension unresponsive to conventional treatment.