Wastage of blood components in a rural tertiary care neonatal unit: A retrospective hospital-based study

Introduction: Neonates who are critically ill receive frequent blood transfusion during their stay in the neonatal unit. Wastage of blood components is crucial in the functioning of a blood bank.

Objectives: To find out the total frequency and volume of transfusions in a neonatal unit for a period of one year, to find out the total amount of blood component wastage following neonatal transfusions with respect to birth weight and gestational age and to find out the number of donor exposures in neonates who are receiving multiple transfusions with respect to frequency of transfusion.

Method: Data regarding blood transfusion and its components were collected retrospectively and analysed with respect to birth weight and gestational age. These data were used to find out the wastage of blood components and donor exposure.

Results:  Packed red blood cell transfusion was the most common transfusion in the sick neonate. As birth weight decreased, wastage of blood component increased (p<0.05). As gestational age decreased wastage of blood component increased (p<0.05). Mean wastage of around 90% was noticed in the study. Donor exposure to transfusion ratio was 1:1.

Conclusions:  As birth weight decreased, wastage of blood components increased significantly (p<0.05). As gestational age decreased, wastage of blood component increased significantly (p<0.05). Mean wastage of around 90% was noted in the study. Donor exposure to transfusion ratio was 1:1.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2021; 50(4): 687-691