Evaluation and Treatment of Anemia in Premature Infants

Comparison of restrictive and liberal red blood cell suspension transfusion and analysis of influencing factors on prognosis of premature infants

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of restrictive and liberal red blood cell suspension (RBCs) transfusions on the prognosis of premature infants and to analyze the influencing factors to provide a reference for the transfusion strategy of preterm infants.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 cases of anemic premature infants treated in our center, including 63 cases in the restrictive transfusion group and 22 in the liberal transfusion group.

RESULTS

RBCs transfusions were effective in both groups, and there were no statistically significant differences in post-transfusion hemoglobin and hematocrit between the two groups (P > 0.05). The outcome events: the duration of ventilatory support was statistically prolonger in the restrictive group compared with the liberal group (P < 0.001); however, the differences in mortality, the increased weight before discharge, and length of stay in the hospital within the two groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.237, 0.36 and 0.771, respectively). Univariate survival analysis showed that age, birth weight, Apgar 1 min and Apgar 10 min scores were the influencing factors for death, with P values of 0.035, 0.004, <0.001, and 0.013, respectively; COX regression analysis showed that Apgar 1 min score was an independent factor of the survival time of preterm infants (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Compared with the restrictive transfusion group, liberal transfusion patients presented a shorter duration of ventilatory support, which is more beneficial to the prognosis of premature infants.

High Magnitude of Neonatal Anemia Among Sick Newborns Admitted to University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction

Anemia is a global health problem that affects all ages, particularly children under five years. If not treated early, childhood anemia results in impaired growth, delayed cognitive development, and organ dysfunction. There is a scarcity of studies on the prevalence of anemia among hospitalized sick neonates, especially in developing countries.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among hospitalized sick newborns at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UOGCSH).

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among admitted newborns from June 1 to September 30, 2020. All newborns whose gestational age (GA) ≥28 weeks and postnatal age ≤28 days, admitted to UOGCSH during the study period were included in the study. Data were collected by pediatric residents and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors with neonatal anemia. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

During the study period, 272 newborns were enrolled. The mean hemoglobin value was 15.74 ± 4.27 gm/dL. The prevalence of neonatal anemia in the study population was 30.1% (95% CI: 24.6–35.7). Neonatal age >7 days (AOR = 4.41, 95% CI: 1.86–10.5), maternal anemia (AOR = 9.93, 95% CI: 4.36–21.6), antepartum hemorrhage (AOR = 4.05, 95% CI: 1.54–10. 7), being multiple births (AOR = 4.70, 95% CI: 1.73–12.8), subgaleal hemorrhage (AOR = 7.56, 95%: 1.87–30.6), and hyperbilirubinemia (AOR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.58–9.31) were associated with neonatal anemia.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The prevalence of anemia among hospitalized newborns was high. The current study recommends that healthcare providers should screen anemia among sick newborns who had risk factors. Prevention of maternal anemia and early treatment of obstetric complications will reduce the burden of anemia in sick neonates.

Analysis of correlative risk factors for blood transfusion therapy for extremely low birth weight infants and extreme preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the related risk factors in blood transfusions for extremely low birth weight infants and extreme preterm infants, and to explore the prevention strategy of anemia.

METHODS

A total of 60 infants with gestational age < 28 weeks or birth weight < 1000 g admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The infants with a birth weight of less than 1000 g were divided into the blood transfusion group and the non-blood transfusion group according to whether they received a blood transfusion. The general health situation, disease occurrence and treatment measures during hospitalization were compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of blood transfusion were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in maternal anemia during pregnancy, birth weight, gestational age, hemoglobin and hematocrit at birth, blood collection within 2 weeks after birth, length of hospital stay, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus between the transfusion group and the non-transfusion group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis showed that the younger the gestational age (OR=0.385, 95% CI: 0.212~0.705, P=0.002), the lower the birth weight (OR=1.004, 95% CI: 0.967~0.998, P=0.001), the longer the hospitalization time (OR=2.178, 95% CI: 1.172~4.049, P=0.014) and a larger blood collection within 2 weeks after birth (OR=1.269, 95% CI: 1.084~1.489, P=0.003) would induce higher the blood transfusion rates.

CONCLUSION

The transfusion indications of extremely low birth weight infants and extreme preterm infants are affected by many factors, among which gestational age, length of hospital stay, blood collection within 2 weeks after birth and birth weight are independent predictors of transfusion. Blood transfusion in extremely low birth weight infants and extreme preterm infants is associated with an increased risk of apnea, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus.

The role of recombinant Human erythropoietin in neonatal anemia

AIM

To estimate the blood level of Erythropoietin(EPO) in neonates with anemia of prematurity (APO) and in late hypo-regenerative anemia and to clarify role of EPO in correction of anemia and reducing the number of blood transfusions.

METHODS

This study was carried out on 60 neonates divided into; group I (30 preterm neonates) with AOP received EPO (250 IU/kg/dose subcutaneously 3 times weekly for 4 weeks), compared to group II (30 neonates) with AOP treated only with blood transfusion. CBC parameters and transfusion requirements were followed during therapy. Serum level of EPO was measured by ELISA technique.

RESULTS

By the end of the 4th week of therapy, there was significant increase in group I post r-Hu EPO compared to group II regarding reticulocyte counts (P < 0.001) leading to rise of the Hb (P < 0.001), Hct levels (P < 0.001) with subsequent reduction in the overall number of blood transfusions (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

EPO therapy in conjunction with iron, vitamin E and folic acid, stimulated erythropoiesis and significantly reduced the need for blood transfusion in AOP.