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Neonatal blood component transfusion practices during 1989 were surveyed via a questionnaire developed by the Pediatric Hemotherapy Committee of the American Association of Blood Banks. Of 1790 questionnaires mailed, 452 were selected to form the database for this analysis because they were from institutions in which neonates were transfused. Nearly all institutions contained intensive care units directed by neonatologists and were involved in the management of high-risk infants. Results from institutions serving as the primary pediatric teaching hospital of a medical school were compared with those with no medical school affiliation. Thirty-six percent of primary pediatric teaching hospitals and 52% of hospitals with no medical school affiliation performed pretransfusion testing in excess of that required, resulting in additional blood loss in neonates. Sixty-six percent of primary pediatric teaching hospitals used fresh frozen plasma to adjust the hematocrit of red blood cell concentrates prior to transfusion (a practice increasing donor exposure), compared with only 29% of hospitals with no medical school affiliation. The usual indication for small-volume red blood cell transfusions in severely ill neonates was to maintain a desired hematocrit level, whereas for stable infants, red blood cell transfusions were given to treat symptomatic anemia, rather than to maintain a predetermined hematocrit. As found in 1985, neonatal transfusion practices in 1989 were variable. However, improvements have occurred since 1985 to suggest that further research and educational efforts may serve to promote even better neonatal transfusion therapy.

Neonatal transfusion practices during 1989 of 452 institutions involved in transfusing infants were surveyed by questionnaire. Most respondents (77%) transfused fresh frozen plasma appropriately (ie, primarily to treat coagulation disorders). However, 11% stated that their most frequent use of fresh frozen plasma was solely to treat hypovolemia, a practice generally not recommended. Seventy-eight percent of respondents transfused platelets to treat bleeding infants with blood platelet counts of less than 50 x 10(9)/L; 84% gave platelets to sick, premature neonates with counts of less than 50 x 10(9)/L whether or not bleeding was evident. Only 35% of respondents transfused granulocytes for neonatal sepsis; most institutions used buffy coats isolated from units of blood--a product readily available, but of questionable efficacy when compared with leukapheresis granulocytes. Ninety-three percent of respondents provided blood components with low risk of transmitting cytomegalovirus: components from seronegative donors were used by 84%, leukocyte-reduced products by 6%, and a combination by 10%. Thirteen percent of respondents gave gamma-irradiated blood components to all and 46% gave them to some neonates to prevent graft vs host disease. Forty-one percent did not routinely irradiate. Ten percent of respondents used leukocyte reduction instead of gamma irradiation to prevent graft vs host disease, a practice currently not advocated. Thus, national transfusion practices for neonates are variable, controversial, and, occasionally, other than those usually recommended. Additional research and educational efforts are needed to ensure optimal transfusion therapy.