Neonatal Plasma Transfusion: An Evidence-Based Review

Several clinical scenarios for plasma transfusion are repeatedly identified in audits, including treatment of bleeding in association with laboratory evidence of coagulopathy, correction of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), prevention of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), management of critically ill neonates (e.g. during sepsis or as a volume expander) or correction of markers of prolonged coagulation in the absence of bleeding. The findings of at least one national audit of transfusion practice indicated almost half of plasma transfusions are given to neonates with abnormal coagulation values with no evidence of active bleeding, although the evidence base to support the effectiveness of this policy is very limited.
Source: Transfusion Medicine Reviews - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research