Higher or Lower Hemoglobin Transfusion Thresholds for Preterm Infants

Limited data suggest that higher hemoglobin thresholds for red cell transfusions may reduce the risk of cognitive delay among extremely low birth weight infants with anemia. This multicenter trial randomly assigned infants with a birth weight of 1000 g or less and a gestational age between 22 and 28 weeks to receive red cell transfusions at higher or lower hemoglobin thresholds until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge. The primary outcome was a composite of death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 22 to 26 months of age. Results showed no significant difference between the higher and lower threshold groups in the incidence of the primary outcome (50.1% vs. 49.8%, respectively; adjusted relative risk, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.10; P=0.93). The study concluded that a higher hemoglobin threshold for transfusion did not improve survival without neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely low birth weight infants.

Limited data suggest that higher hemoglobin thresholds for red cell transfusions may reduce the risk of cognitive delay among extremely low birth weight infants with anemia. This multicenter trial randomly assigned infants with a birth weight of 1000 g or less and a gestational age between 22 and 28 weeks to receive red cell transfusions at higher or lower hemoglobin thresholds until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge. The primary outcome was a composite of death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 22 to 26 months of age. Results showed no significant difference between the higher and lower threshold groups in the incidence of the primary outcome (50.1% vs. 49.8%, respectively; adjusted relative risk, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.10; P=0.93). The study concluded that a higher hemoglobin threshold for transfusion did not improve survival without neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely low birth weight infants.