Every treasured drop! Blood transfusion requirements in very preterm neonates after implementation of blood conservation strategies: an observational analytical study

Lay Summary center dot Institution of a conglomerate of blood conservation strategies (BCS) is an effective strategy to reduce red blood cell transfusion requirements in very preterm infants. center dot The need for multiple transfusions, calculated cumulative blood volume losses, number of venous samples drawn are also reduced with BCS. center dot The most important component of BCS is the availability of micro-sampling-point-of-care-testing technology. This facility will benefit centers which care for these high-risk infants. Background Certain morbidities are inevitable in preterm infants; the challenge lies in minimizing them. Anemia of prematurity is multifactorial. Therapy largely depends on adult red blood cell transfusions (RBCT); which inherently, are not without problems. Most literature in this respect are retrospective or evaluate individual stratagems to reduce RBCT. Methods This observational analytical study was planned to compare need for RBCT, before and after institution of blood conservation strategies (BCS). All those <= 30 weeks gestation at birth during two-time epochs were included (Before BCS: retrospective; After BCS: prospective). BCS constituted of delayed cord clamping (DCC), strict sampling indications, micro-sampling with point-of-care testing (MS-POCT) and adherence to RBCT thresholds. Results Of 45 enrolled neonates in each group, proportion of those requiring even 1 RBCT was significantly reduced after BCS [51.1% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.02, OR 0.35, 95%CI (0.14, 0.84)]. Calculated cumulative blood volume losses (35.3 ml vs. 21.9 ml) and loss per kilogram birth weight (35.3 ml/kg vs. 20.12 ml/kg) were significantly lower after BCS (p = 0.0036). Need for >1 RBCT, mean lowest Hb, mean maximum-hemoglobin drop, need for arterial lines were reduced. Adherence to RBCT thresholds were acceptably good in both time epochs. However, the compliance to DCC was low in both groups, identifying one area of focus with scope for massive improvement. Conclusions Need for RBCT transfusions largely attributable to reduced blood losses for lab analysis were reduced after BCS. Installation of in-house MS-POCT seemed to be the pivotal factor. Units that care for very preterm infants must make attempts to procure MS-POCT equipment.

Automated summary

Establishing a conglomerate of blood conservation strategies (BCS) is effective in reducing red blood cell transfusion requirements in very preterm infants, with micro-sampling-point-of-care-testing technology being a pivotal factor. These strategies help reduce the need for multiple transfusions and cumulative blood volume losses, benefiting centers caring for high-risk infants.