Study of a Blood Warming Device to Prevent Low Body Temperature During Blood Transfusions in Very Preterm Infants Born Before 32 Weeks

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying very preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestational age who often experience hypothermia and anemia during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. This trial evaluates the use of a commercial blood warming device to prevent low body temperatures below 36.56C during packed red blood cell PRBC transfusions, which are commonly needed to treat anemia in these infants. The study aims to reduce hypothermia-related complications by improving transfusion practices. The trial compares two groups one receives standard care with PRBC transfusions given without deliberate warming, and the other group receives transfusions warmed using the Ranger blood warmer device. The device uses aluminum heating plates to quickly and evenly warm blood to near body temperature, following blood bank guidelines. Transfusions last about 4 hours, and all details including timing are recorded by nurses. Participants will be closely monitored for body temperature during and after the transfusion, especially focusing on the occurrence of hypothermia within 12 hours and 1 hour after transfusion ends. Temperature data are collected for 24 hours after transfusion to ensure accuracy. The study measures how well the warming device maintains normal body temperature to improve care for very preterm infants at risk of hypothermia during blood transfusions.

Blood Warming in Preterm Infants to Decrease Hypothermia