A stable 28-week infant is now 35 weeks postmenstrual age, breathing room air, feeding and growing. Central haemoglobin is 78 g/L, reticulocytes are

Question

A stable 28-week infant is now 35 weeks postmenstrual age, breathing room air, feeding and growing. Central haemoglobin is 78 g/L, reticulocytes are low and there are no signs of poor perfusion. What is the best transfusion decision?

Accepted Answer

Apply age- and respiratory-support transfusion thresholds alongside the infant’s clinical findings

Answer

Transfuse immediately to haemoglobin 140 g/L because all preterm infants need a normal term value

Answer

Give fresh frozen plasma because low reticulocytes indicate inadequate clotting-factor production

Answer

Use erythropoietin as an emergency substitute for red cells whenever haemoglobin is below 80 g/L

Answer

Start exchange transfusion because anaemia of prematurity is immune-mediated haemolysis

Anaemia of prematurity — RACP Paediatrics MCQ

A stable 28-week infant is now 35 weeks postmenstrual age, breathing room air, feeding and growing. Central haemoglobin is 78 g/L, reticulocytes are low and there are no signs of poor perfusion. What is the best transfusion decision?