Blood transfusions strongly linked to development of BPD in preterm neonates, reveals research

A new study published in the journal Cureus showed that blood transfusions raised the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm neonates (less than 32 weeks), and the risk was greater for transfused newborns.

A common and serious consequence of preterm delivery, especially in infants with low birth weights (BW) and gestational ages (GA), is bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Red blood cell and platelet transfusions have the potential to exacerbate pulmonary inflammation and exacerbate bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a frequent lung ailment in premature newborns.

Transfusions have been given to almost all newborns with severe BPD, although their possible involvement as a cause of BPD has not been fully investigated. Therefore, Abdulrahman Al-Matary and his team undertook this study to investigate the link between blood product infusions and the development of BPD among preterm newborns.

From 2011 to 2020, a retrospective analysis of neonates admitted to the hospital within 48 hours after delivery and with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks was carried out. Information about blood transfusions, clinical characteristics, and patient demographics was taken from the department's medical records. The association between blood transfusions and the onset of BPD in the study population was evaluated using logistic regression analysis.