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Red blood cell transfusions increase fecal calprotectin levels in premature infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 837–841 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

We hypothesized that red blood cell (RBC) transfusions influence intestinal inflammation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. We also suspected that hematocrit (Hct) at transfusions and RBC storage time correlate with intestinal inflammation.

Study Design:

VLBW infants, without major congenital defects, intestinal perforation or necrotizing enterocolitis, were enrolled prospectively. Fecal calprotectin (FC) levels were measured from stool samples collected before and after RBC transfusions. Data on Hct and RBC storage time were collected.

Result:

Data from 42 RBC transfusions given to 26 infants revealed that FC levels increased faster than baseline after RBC transfusions (P=0.018) and were higher in multiple-transfused infants (0 to 48 and >48 h post transfusion, P=0.007 and P=0.005, respectively). Lower Hct and RBC storage >21 days correlated with higher FC levels (P=0.044 and P=0.013, respectively).

Conclusion:

RBC transfusions, anemia and prolonged RBC storage were associated with an increase in intestinal inflammation.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the research nurses, Judy Zaritt and Shari Roberts, for their valuable contribution in the identification of eligible infants, collection of clinical information and collection of stool samples; Tampa General Hospital NICU nurses for saving the stool samples; laboratory technicians, Bradley Kane and Shaunte Williams, for their assistance with processing of samples and with ELISA; Dr Emmanuel for her encouragement and enduring support; and Dr Jane Carver for patiently editing the grant proposal and manuscript. The study was funded by the Gerber Foundation Novice Research Award (to TTBH), Fremont, MI, USA, and by the National Institution of Health (NIH) award R01HD059142 (to AM).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    T T B Ho, A A Luciano & T L Ashmeade

  2. College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    M W Groer & M Ji

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA

    A Schwartz

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    B S Miladinovic

  5. Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    A Maheshwari

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  1. T T B Ho
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Correspondence to T L Ashmeade.

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Ho, T., Groer, M., Luciano, A. et al. Red blood cell transfusions increase fecal calprotectin levels in premature infants. J Perinatol 35, 837–841 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.73

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