Does washing blood for transfusion make a difference to preterm babies?

Abstract

Standard red blood cell transfusion is almost unavoidable in very preterm newborns. This common therapy likely causes harm by inciting an inflammatory response in the recipient, a precursor to injury and end organ morbidity. This inflammatory signal can be ameliorated with use of washed red blood cells. Though currently available from Red Cross this washed product incurs additional manufacturing costs and has a shorter half-life. Our randomised controlled trial will determine if washed, allogeneic red cells reduces end organ morbidity in surviving, very preterm newborns resulting in life-long benefit and thereby defraying the additional costs of product manufacture.