Blood product administration

Abstract

Neonates are a patient population with special considerations in relation to blood transfusion. Preterm neonates are among the most frequently transfused patient groups. Because of advances in neonatal intensive care, including advances in blood component administration, smaller and more premature infants are surviving. This chapter discusses blood components and their suggested indications for transfusion in neonates and reviews vascular access, blood product filters, and warmers. This chapter also presents the use of antifibrinolytics and perioperative transfusion monitoring in neonates.