Blood component therapy in neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit of northern India

BackgroundNeonates, especially preterm babies admitted in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), frequently require transfusion of blood components. The use of blood components in the neonates varies across different hospitals. There is urgent need of forming global guidelines and policies for blood component transfusions in the sick neonates. Although the guidelines for Indian setup from the premier institutes exist, yet there is paucity of Indian data regarding the actual blood component usage.Aims and objectiveTo know the incidence and indications of various blood components transfusion in our NICU.Material and methodThis retrospective single center observational study was done in a tertiary care NICU of a government medical college of northern India. The records of all neonates admitted in the NICU from August 2014 to July 2015 were screened for blood component usage and their indications. The data were statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel™ software.ResultsDuring the study period, 815 neonates were admitted in NICU of our hospital. Out of these neonates, 280 (34.3%) neonates received at least single blood component transfusion at some point of NICU stay. More than one type of components was needed in 100 (12.2%) neonates. A total of 557 units of blood components were transfused in the babies. The mean blood component transfusion was 1.98 ± 0.21 in the babies requiring transfusion. The maximum (54.7%) component to be transfused was platelets followed by packed red blood cells (24.5%). Sepsis was the most common reason for blood component transfusion.ConclusionA large number of admitted neonates require blood components. Sepsis remains the foremost etiological factor for blood component transfusion.