Evaluation of Respiratory Trends During Blood Transfusions in Newborns

What this Trial Is About

This research focuses on newborn infants who require blood transfusions, aiming to study how their respiratory condition changes during these transfusions. The trial particularly examines complications like transfusion-associated cardiac overload (TACO) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), which can affect the lungs and breathing. The study is important because respiratory transfusion reactions in newborns occur in about 8% of cases, especially in those with low birth weight and gestational age, but clear diagnostic criteria are lacking. Participants will undergo lung ultrasound examinations within six hours before and after their blood transfusions to detect fluid retention in the lungs and calculate a lung ultrasound score (LUS score). Oxygen saturation and fraction of inspired oxygen (SFR) levels will also be measured in this timeframe. For infants on respiratory support like nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or mechanical ventilation, ventilatory parameters such as mean airway pressure will be monitored before and after transfusions. Throughout the study, infants admitted for blood transfusions will be closely observed with these assessments to track any respiratory changes. Researchers will analyze lung ultrasound results, oxygen levels, and ventilation measures to identify respiratory trends and potential risk factors for worsening lung function related to transfusions. The study will continue until January 2026, with the primary outcomes focusing on changes in lung ultrasound scores and oxygenation within six hours around transfusions.

Respiratory Trends During Blood Transfusions in Newborns.