Anemia, red blood cell transfusions, and necrotizing enterocolitis

In the past 15 years, multiple clinical studies have identified a temporal association between red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). With some variability, most of these studies indicate that up to one-third of all cases of NEC involving very-low-birth weight infants may occur within 24 –48 hours after receiving a RBC transfusion. There is also evidence that the risk of such transfusion-associated NEC may be higher in infants transfused with the greatest severity of anemia.

Source: Seminars in Pediatric Surgery - November 6, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Akhil Maheshwari, Ravi M. Patel, Robert D. Christensen Source Type: research