Study into transfusions paves way to saving lives of more premature babies

SCIENTISTS HAVE hailed a study which has “major implications” for how doctors use platelet transfusions for sick premature babies and is expected to save lives.

Researchers found that lowering the threshold and giving fewer platelet transfusions is better and will prevent death or major bleeding in seven out of 100 premature newborn babies with low platelet counts (severe thrombocytopenia), a result which was unexpected by many in the study group.

Platelets are the cells that help the blood to clot and are often given to babies with low platelet counts and no signs of bleeding, to try to prevent bleeding (socalled prophylactic platelet transfusions).

However, doctors did not know the correct platelet count at which they should start giving transfusions to these babies.

Co-chief investigator Professor Simon Stanworth, of the University of Oxford, said: “The findings have major implications for how neonatologists use platelet transfusions for sick premature babies with low platelets.

“We need to remember that platelet transfusions are biological products, and they do have risks.

“This study also raises questions about using prophylactic platelet transfusions routinely in other patient groups with very low platelets.”

The research, published in the describes the final results of the PlaNet-2/Matisse clinical study, which involved 43 paediatric and neonatal units in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands over a sixyear period.

A total of 660 premature babies with low platelet counts were involved.

It was the largest such study to date and co-chief investigator Dr Anna Curley, consultant neonatologist at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, said: “Research is essential if we are to provide the best possible evidence-based care.”