Abstract
It is commonly stated that transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in a volume of 10-20 cc/Kg. will correct non-platelet related coagulation defects in sick neonates. We studied 23 neonates in our Intensive Care Nursery who received 10-15 cc/Kg. of FFP for treatment of hypotension associated with respiratory distress syndrome. Gestational ages of infants studied ranged from 27-37 weeks. Prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and fibrinogen were performed prior to plasma infusion, and again 15-30 minutes, following infusion. Three infants were felt to have disseminated intravascular coagulation and were excluded. Eleven of the 20 remaining infants had pre-infusion PT's>16 seconds (sec.). Of these 11, 4 infants corrected to 16 sec. or less, while 7 showed almost no change in PT values. Eighteen of the 20 infants studied had initial PTT values >70 sec. Of these 18, only 5 infants corrected PTT values to<70 sec. after infusions. Post-infusion, 4 infants (22%) still had PTT's>90 sec. Our preliminary data would suggest that, at least in sick infants with hypotension, FFP infusion may not result in dramatic improvement in coagulation parameters. Sick infants who receive FFP for bleeding problems should have careful monitoring of coagulation parameters, since therapy more aggressive than FFP infusion may be required.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Snyder, M., Weaver, R., Johnson, C. et al. EFFECTS OF FRESH FROZEN PLASMA INFUSIONS ON COAGULATION SCREENING TESTS IN SICK NEONATES. Pediatr Res 11, 542 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01035
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01035