Journal of Pediatric Care

Reducing the risk of transfusion related necrotising enterocolitis (TNEC) by reducing anaemia and transfusion

Joint Event on 22^nd Edition of International Conference on Neonatology and Perinatology & 3^rd International Conference on Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery
May 07-08, 2018 Frankfurt, Germany

Shalini Sharma

Imperial College London, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Pediatr Care

DOI: 10.21767/2471-805X-C2-009

Abstract

Transfusion therapy in the neonatal period may be considered a life-saving procedure; and effective quality, quantity and delivery of transfusion products are all critical in weighing up the benefits and risks to these patients. However, transfusion-related necrotising enterocolitis is a rare but devastating condition, associated with red cell transfusion. TNEC most often occurs in preterm infants and there is a growing interest in exploring its proposed mechanisms and causality, as well as potential therapeutic strategies. This study explored clinical correlates of neonates transfused blood products at the Royal United Hospital (RUH), Bath, from 2009-2016. The annual number of blood transfusions amongst neonates during their first year of life was obtained from a transfusion database. Clinical details from these patients and denominator data on the number of preterm infants were recorded from the neonatal database, Badger. Relevant specific outcomes were sought from both Badger and microbiology databases. Results demonstrated an 85 percent reduction in the number of babies transfused between 2009 and 2016, temporally associated with several quality improvement projects. There were no cases of TNEC during the study period. There is clear guidance outlining criteria for transfusion amongst ventilated babies, those on CPAP, and infants with chronic and stable lung disease; in both national and specific trust guidelines. However, recommendations pretransfusion in neonates not requiring respiratory support are poorly defined. New guidelines being created must consider preterm neonates as a substantial group of infants when defining best evidence-based practice, hence limiting the development of complications such as NEC

Biography

Shalini Sharma is a Medical Student from the University of Bristol. She is currently in her fifth year of study, and is undertaking an intercalated BSc in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences at Imperial College London. She will return to the University of Bristol next academic year to complete her final year of study.
Email:ss13288@my.bristol.ac.uk