Freshly irradiated RBC transfusion shows better cerebral oxygenation in preterm infants: JAMA

New Zealand: In a new study conducted by Maria Saito-Benz and team it was found that when compared to transfusion of irradiated and stored red blood cell components, transfusion of freshly irradiated RBCs offered a slight benefit in cerebral oxygenation for at least 5 days following transfusion. The findings of this study were published in the Journal of American Medical Association.

Gamma irradiation of leuko-reduced RBC decreases transfusion-based graft-vs-host disease but also accelerates the establishment of storage lesions in RBCs. In preterm newborns with high transfusion needs, it is uncertain if freshly irradiated RBCs are more effective than irradiated and stored RBCs. As a result, this study was designed to see if transfusion of freshly irradiated RBC components vs irradiated and stored RBC components improved cerebral oxygen supply in preterm babies with anemia.

Between December 1, 2017, and November 30, 2018, a double-blind, single-center, proof-of-concept randomized clinical study was undertaken at Wellington Regional Hospital's newborn critical care unit in Wellington, New Zealand. Participants were preterm newborns with anemia who were at least 14 days old. Participants received non-urgent transfusions, and these events were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control groups. The evaluable population technique was used to examine the data. This study explored transfusion of newly irradiated RBCs.