<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Objective: Preterm neonates represent a category of neonates at high risk for anemia. Due to particular pathologic processes and clinical presentation in preterm neonates, this type of anemia is described as a separate entity named anemia of prematurity (AOP). The population represented by very low birthweight (VLBW) neonates is at the highest risk of developing anemia of prematurity. Reduced tissue oxygenation due to anemia can have short-term consequences (growth restriction, apnea episodes) or long-term consequences such as delayed neurological development, rapid detection, and management of AOP is needed to avoid its complications.
Material and methods: We describe the particularities of this condition and the interventions for its prevention or correction in a group of premature infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation discharged home during 2021.
Results: We assessed the presence of anemia and the need for erythrocyte transfusion in 32 VLBW neonates, separated into two groups based on the gestational age: 24-29 gestational weeks (GW) and 30-31 GW. The number of neonates receiving a transfusion and the number of transfusion events was higher in the former, more immature group. We also identified more significant phlebotomy losses in the first group, contributing to a higher proportion of AOP cases needing erythrocyte transfusion.
Conclusions: Although our protocols for transfusion at this moment recommend lower hemoglobin thresholds, we tend to transfuse above those levels based mainly on clinical signs and symptoms. We need better prevention strategies for AOP, both by using cord blood and more strict monitoring of phlebotomy losses.
</abstract>

Objective: Preterm neonates represent a category of neonates at high risk for anemia. Due to particular pathologic processes and clinical presentation in preterm neonates, this type of anemia is described as a separate entity named anemia of prematurity (AOP). The population represented by very low birthweight (VLBW) neonates is at the highest risk of developing anemia of prematurity. Reduced tissue oxygenation due to anemia can have short-term consequences (growth restriction, apnea episodes) or long-term consequences such as delayed neurological development, rapid detection, and management of AOP is needed to avoid its complications.
Material and methods: We describe the particularities of this condition and the interventions for its prevention or correction in a group of premature infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation discharged home during 2021.
Results: We assessed the presence of anemia and the need for erythrocyte transfusion in 32 VLBW neonates, separated into two groups based on the gestational age: 24-29 gestational weeks (GW) and 30-31 GW. The number of neonates receiving a transfusion and the number of transfusion events was higher in the former, more immature group. We also identified more significant phlebotomy losses in the first group, contributing to a higher proportion of AOP cases needing erythrocyte transfusion.
Conclusions: Although our protocols for transfusion at this moment recommend lower hemoglobin thresholds, we tend to transfuse above those levels based mainly on clinical signs and symptoms. We need better prevention strategies for AOP, both by using cord blood and more strict monitoring of phlebotomy losses.

Anemia of Prematurity Management in the Tertiary Neonatology Centre of Clinical Emergency County Hospital Constanta

ARS Medica Tomitana

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Objective: Preterm neonates represent a category of neonates at high risk for anemia. Due to particular pathologic processes and clinical presentation in...

Anemia of Prematurity Management in the Tertiary Neonatology Centre of Clinical Emergency County Hospital Constanta

Publicado en línea: 27 mar 2023

Páginas: 25 - 30

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/arsm-2022-0007

Palabras clave
anemia of prematurity, preterm neonates, very low birth weight, erythrocyte transfusion

© 2022 Irina Franciuc et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Anemia of Prematurity Management in the Tertiary Neonatology Centre of Clinical Emergency County Hospital Constanta

Publicado en línea: 27 mar 2023

Páginas: 25 - 30

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/arsm-2022-0007

Palabras claveanemia of prematurity, preterm neonates, very low birth weight, erythrocyte transfusion

© 2022 Irina Franciuc et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Palabras clave
anemia of prematurity, preterm neonates, very low birth weight, erythrocyte transfusion