Effect of additional albumin administration during exchange transfusion on plasma albumin-binding capacity

Abstract

A total of 33 infants undergoing exchange transfusion for hyperbilirubin-aemia was divided into two albumin-treated groups and a control group. Both albumin-treated groups showed significantly higher levels of plasma albumin and of reserve albumin-binding capacity in the phase of bilirubin rebound 8 hours or more after exchange. It was not possible to state which method of albumin administration was the more efficient. Up to two-thirds of administered albumin probably diffuses into the extravascular space of newborn infants within 2-3 hours.