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Biomarkers to decide red blood cell transfusion in newborn infants
Author(s) -
Banerjee Jayanta,
Aladangady Narendra
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.12670
Subject(s) - medicine , hematocrit , red blood cell transfusion , red blood cell , hemoglobin , intensive care medicine , blood transfusion , cardiorespiratory fitness , pediatrics , physiology
Almost 90% of extremely low birthweight infants receive red blood cell ( RBC ) transfusion during their stay in the neonatal unit ( NNU ). Currently most NNU s use a combination of clinical signs and laboratory findings such as hemoglobin ( Hb ), hematocrit ( Hct ), and cardiorespiratory or ventilation status to decide the need for RBC transfusion. Various other laboratory (lactate, reticulocyte count, RBC volume) and bedside measurements (near infrared spectroscopy and D oppler ultrasound scan) have been investigated to identify a suitable trigger for RBC transfusion in newborn infants. The evidence to apply any of these investigations or measurements to clinical practice is lacking. Further research is required to identify a suitable biomarker for RBC transfusion in newborn infants.