Red cell transfusion in very low birth weight babies (VLBW) in the Valdivia Regional Hospital

Abstract

VLBW babies form a group at risk to receive red cell transfusions (RCT). To evaluate the incidence of RCT, factors associated with transfusional requirements, and the number of donors, the VLBW baby clinic records of 66 babies who were discharged from the Valdivia Regional Hospital Neonatology Department between june 1995 and may 1997 were studied. The following characteristics of the study group were evaluated, concomitant pathology, number of transfusions and days in hospital. The risk factors associated with higher transfusional requirements were determined using odds ratio (OR). 89.4% received 1 or more transfusions, with a mean of 4.1 + 3.9, range 1-17. Characteristics associated with a greater number of RCT were birth weight of less than 1000 g (OR 10.0), gestional age for newborn less than 29 weeks (OR 7.9) and birth weight normal birth weight babies for) (OR 5.4). Associated pathology was broncho-pneumonia (OR 46.5), haemorrhage (OR 25.0), bronchopulmonar dysplasia (OR 16.4). The patients were exposed to a similar number of transfusions and number of donors.