Special Report

Expert Review of Hematology Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Washington University Library on 12/25/14 For personal use only.

Management and prevention of neonatal anemia: current evidence and guidelines Expert Rev. Hematol. 7(2), 195–202 (2014)

Jeannette S von Lindern1,2 and Enrico Lopriore*1 1 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands 2 Department of Pediatrics, Groene Hart Hospital, Gouda, The Netherlands *Author for correspondence: [email protected]

Neonatal anemia is a common disorder, particularly in (very) preterm neonates. Management of neonatal anemia is based principally on red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Although the use of blood products is nowadays widespread in neonatal medicine, evidence on the potential benefit is extremely limited. Recent studies suggest that RBC transfusions in newborns may be associated with an increased risk for necrotizing enterocolitis, transfer of infectious agents and negative effects on neurodevelopmental outcome. Whether the benefits of RBC transfusions outweigh the risks is controversial and requires further studies. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the management of neonatal anemia and compare the various international guidelines. In addition, we discuss the various strategies to prevent neonatal anemia and reduce the need for RBC transfusions and discuss important trials currently enrolling patients to improve the management in neonatal anemia. KEYWORDS: anemia . anemia of prematurity . guideline . neonate . newborn . preterm . red blood cell transfusion .

transfusion threshold

Neonatal medicine is a fast evolving field with many new treatment possibilities. One of the oldest interventions, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, is still one of the most frequently used, with up to 90% of infants with a birthweight

Management and prevention of neonatal anemia: current evidence and guidelines.

Neonatal anemia is a common disorder, particularly in (very) preterm neonates. Management of neonatal anemia is based principally on red blood cell (R...
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