Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The improvement of the conditions in the neonatal intensive care units in recent years has resulted in an increase in the number of newborns that require blood product transfusions. While the neonatal alloimmune hemolytic reactions are more commonly resulted from ABO and Rh incompability, minor blood group antigen and Rh subgroup disparity may also cause these reactions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and distribution of transfusion reactions in neonates.

METHODS

The transfusion reactions that were encountered at Dr. Behcet Uz Children’s Hospital from July 2006 thru June 2009 were retrospectively studied by reviewing the transfusion reaction forms.

RESULTS

Total of 31486 blood product transfusions were given, of which, 107 transfusion reactions were observed (0.3%). The fresh frozen plasma was identified as the product most associated with the reactions. Majority of the reactions were allergic. Transfusion reactions were observed in 5 of 7544 blood products transfused in newborns (0.06%), one of which was allergic reaction and the four were hemolytic reactions.In all five of the transfusions, the transfused product was packed red blood cells. There was no ABO or Rh incompability present in neither of the transfusions and the cross match was compatible. The subgroup antigens could not be identified, as the study was retrospective.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of the transfusion reactions in newborns was less than that of observed in children in other age groups. The inadequate antibody response in newborn period is believed to be the reason for this lower incidence.