Red cell and platelet transfusions in neonates: a population-based study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the use of red cells, platelets and exchange transfusions among all neonates in a population cohort, to examine trends in transfusion over time and to determine transfusion rates in at-risk neonates.DesignLinked population-based birth and hospital data from New South Wales (NSW), Australia, were used to determine rates of blood product transfusion in the first 28 days of life. The study included all live births ≥23 weeks’ gestation in NSW between 2001 and 2011.ResultsBetween 2001 and 2011, 5326 of 989 491 live born neonates received a red cell, platelet or exchange transfusion (5.4/1000 births). Transfusion rates were 4.8 per 1000 for red cells, 1.3 per 1000 for platelets and 0.3 per 1000 for exchange transfusion. Overall transfusion rate remained constant from 2001 to 2011 (p=0.27). Among transfused neonates, 60% were