Neonatal plasma transfusions

Abstract

Although there has been an overall trend toward reduction of transfusions in neonates, limited data from randomized clinical trials to guide practice exist. The neonatal hemostatic system is immature at birth, placing sick premature infants, who may have minimal reserve capacity, at potential increased risk for bleeding complications. In general, there is agreement that plasma should be transfused to correct deficiencies in the face of bleeding. What is needed, however, is a better understanding of when these deficiencies do or do not affect bleeding risk and outcome to further provide more evidence-based approaches to transfusion practice.