Blood Transfusions in Preterm Infants

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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A cross sectional study to assess the effect of blood transfusions on the outcome of preterm infants

Detailed Description
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This is a cross sectional study carried on preterm infants who are staying in the hospital as growers; to gain weight. We will assess blood transfusion received by these preterm infants in details.

Official Title
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Effect of Blood Transfusions on the Outcome of Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants

Conditions
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Red Blood Cells, Preterm

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Grower preterm infants Exclusion Criteria: Severe illness, Hypovolemic shock, Hypoxia, Oxygen therapy, Surgical intervention
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in heart rate | Heart rate per minute | immediately before and immediately after blood transfusion | 
| Change in respiratory rate | Respiratory rate per minute | immediately before and immediately after blood transfusion | 
| Change in weight gain | Average weight gain in grams/kg/day | within 4 days before and within 4 days after blood transfusion | 
| Change in hemoglobin | Hemoglobin in grams/dl | immediately before and immediately after blood transfusion | 
| Change in hematocrit value | Hematocrit value percentage | immediately before and immediately after blood transfusion | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Acute blood loss | Acute blood loss either spontaneous or iatrogenic during invasive procedures | in the previous 24 hours before blood transfusion | 
| Mechanical ventilation | Mechanical ventilation (MV) which may be one of two possibilities: Moderate or significant MV; Mean airway pressure (MAP) >8 cm H2O on conventional ventilator or >14 cm H2O on high frequency ventilator and FiO2 >0.4 Minimal MV; MAP ≤8 cmH2O on conventional ventilator or ≤14 cm H2O on high frequency ventilator and FiO2 ≤ 0.4 | in the previous 24 hours before blood transfusion | 
| Supplemental oxygen | Supplemental oxygen, not mechanically ventilated | in the previous 24 hours before blood transfusion | 
| Doubling of oxygen requirements | Doubling of oxygen requirements for patients on supplemental oxygen | in the previous 2 days before blood transfusion | 
| Tachycardia | ≥24 hours of tachycardia (Heart rate>180/minute) | in the previous 24 hours before blood transfusion | 
| Tachypnea | ≥24 hours of tachypnea (Respiratory rate>60/minute), | in the previous 24 hours before blood transfusion | 
| Poor weight gain | ≤10 g/kg/day while the infant is receiving ≥120 kcal/kg/day | in the previous 4 days before blood transfusion | 
| Metabolic acidosis | pH <7.2 | in the previous 24 hours before blood transfusion | 
| Apnea and bradycardia | 9 episodes or ≥2 episodes requiring bag and mask ventilation, while infant is receiving caffeine citrate | in the previous 24 hours before blood transfusion | 
| Length of stay in the NICU | Length of stay in the NICU | from date of birth until the date of transfer to the grower ward or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 3 months. | 
| Length of stay in the hospital | Length of stay in the hospital | from date of birth until the date of discharge home or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 3 months. | 
| Mortality | Death | from the date of transfer to grower ward, assessed up to 3 months. |