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Patterns of phlebotomy blood loss and transfusions in extremely low birth weight infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 1670–1675 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

Characterize frequency and volume of blood draws and transfusions in extremely low birth weight infants in the first 10 weeks of life.

Study design

We included infants with a birth weight <1000 g born 23 0/7–29 6/7 weeks gestational age (GA) and with a length of stay ≥10 weeks, admitted between 2014 and 2016 to a single neonatal intensive care unit.

Results

Of 54 infants, median (25th, 75th percentile) GA and birth weight were 25 weeks (24, 26) and 665 g (587, 822), respectively. Median number of blood draws per infant decreased from 57 (49, 65) in week 1 to 12 (8, 22) in week 10. Median volume of blood extracted was 83 mL (70, 97), and median number of blood transfusions was 8 (5, 10).

Conclusions

This cohort experienced a high number and volume of blood draws. Draw frequency and transfusions decreased over the first 10 weeks of life.

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Funding:

MP-D received salary support from the National Institutes of Health (T32 HD 43029-14, PI: Benjamin).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Mihai Puia-Dumitrescu & Sandra E. Juul

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Mihai Puia-Dumitrescu, David T. Tanaka, Karan R. Kumar, Kamlesh Athavale & P. Brian Smith

  3. Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA

    Tracy G. Spears, Cecil J. Daniel, Karan R. Kumar & P. Brian Smith

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  1. Mihai Puia-Dumitrescu
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  2. David T. Tanaka
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Correspondence to P. Brian Smith.

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Puia-Dumitrescu, M., Tanaka, D.T., Spears, T.G. et al. Patterns of phlebotomy blood loss and transfusions in extremely low birth weight infants. J Perinatol 39, 1670–1675 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0515-6

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