Analysis of Transfusion Practices in the Service of Medicine and Neonatal Resuscitation of Rabat, Morocco

Blood transfusion is a common practice in neonatal but not without risk as well as immunological and infectious.

The Aim of Study: To determine the prevalence of transfusion, the number of transfusion episodes, age at first transfusion and the main indications for transfusion to critically evaluate our transfusion practice.

Materials and Methods: This is a prospective and analytical exaustive study conducted at the National Reference Center for Neonatology and Nutrition Children's Hospital of Rabat between July 1, 2011 and July 31, 2014.

Results: A total number of 7000 infants were admitted to the center during this period, 300 of them were transfused one or more times a prevalence of 4.2%; These infants had a gestational age (GA) through 35 weeks of amenorrhea (WA) and 4 days with extremes of 28 and SA 40 WA. 13% of newborns have a gestational age less than 32 weeks and 47% between 32 and 36 WA + 6 days. Their birth weights ranged between 890 g and 4050 g with an average of 2063 g. 36% of infants had a weight of less than 1500 g birth. The total number of transfusion episodes received by newborn, ranged between 1 and 4 transfusions with an average of 2.5±1.2. It was essentially isolated from red blood cells (RBC) transfusions (66% of transfusion acts). Seventy-five percent of cases were transfused in the first week of life. The main indication was anemia associated with infectious haemolysis. The hypoproteinemia with hypoalbuminemia had indicated the contribution of fresh frozen plasma (FFC). Platelet transfusion was required in a case of thrombocytopenia 4000 / mm3 with hemorrhagic syndrome. No newborn had submitted post-transfusion complications.

Conclusion: In our context, the use of erythrocyte transfusions especially is still very common in the population of preterm infants which prompts us to adopt certain strategies to prevent anemia of prematurity including streamlining of blood samples, the use of micro-methods and optimization of transfusion indications.