Platelet Transfusion and Death or Neurodevelopmental Impairment in Children Born Extremely Preterm.

Importance: Infants born extremely preterm receive transfusions at higher platelet count thresholds than older children and adults due to concerns for intracranial hemorrhage. A recent randomized trial comparing 2 platelet transfusion thresholds showed the higher threshold was associated with increased risk of long-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the association of platelet transfusion exposure with death and severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 2 years' corrected age in a cohort of infants born extremely preterm. Design, Setting, and Participants: An observational cohort study and secondary analysis of the Preterm Erythropoietin Neuroprotection Trial, a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of erythropoietin neuroprotection in neonates born extremely preterm, was conducted in 30 neonatal intensive care units in the US from December 1, 2013, to September 31, 2016. This analysis included 819 infants born extremely preterm at 24 to 27 completed weeks of gestation who had a documented outcome (death or neurodevelopmental assessment). Analysis was performed in April 2023. Exposures: Any platelet transfusion during neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary composite outcome was death or severe NDI evaluated at 2 years' corrected age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition (BSID-III) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System and was defined as the presence of severe cerebral palsy or a BSID-III composite motor or cognitive score 2 SDs below the mean. Confounding by indication for platelet transfusion was addressed with covariate adjustment and propensity score methods. Results: Of the 819 infants included in the analysis (429 [52.4%] male; mean [SD] gestational age, 25.5 [1.1] weeks), 245 (30.0%) received at least 1 platelet transfusion during their initial hospitalization. The primary outcome occurred in 46.5% (114 of 245) of infants exposed to a platelet transfusion and 13.9% (80 of 574) of nonexposed infants with a corresponding odds ratio of 2.43 (95% CI, 1.24-4.76), adjusted for propensity score, gestational age at birth, and trial treatment group. The individual components of death and severe NDI were directionally consistent with the overall composite outcome. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that platelet transfusion in infants born extremely preterm may be associated with an increased risk of death or severe NDI at 2 years' corrected age, although the possibility of residual confounding by indication cannot be excluded.

Implementation of a neonatal platelet transfusion guideline to reduce non-indicated transfusions using a quality improvement framework.

OBJECTIVE: Variation exists in neonatal platelet transfusion practices. Recent studies found potential harm in liberal platelet transfusion practices, supporting the use of lower transfusion thresholds. Our aim was to reduce non-indicated platelet transfusions through implementation of a restrictive platelet transfusion guideline. STUDY DESIGN: Platelet transfusions from January 2017 to December 2019 were classified as indicated or non-indicated using the new guideline. Interventions included guideline implementation and staff education. Outcomes were evaluated using statistical process control charts. Major bleeding was the balancing measure. RESULT: During study, 438 platelet transfusions were administered to 105 neonates. The mean number of non-indicated platelet transfusions/month decreased from 7.3 to 1.6. The rate of non-indicated platelet transfusions per 100 patient admissions decreased from 12.5 to 2.9. Rates of major bleeding remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a restrictive neonatal platelet transfusion guideline significantly reduced potentially harmful platelet transfusions in our NICU without a change in major bleeding.

COVID-19: neonatal-perinatal perspectives.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, resulting from infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused severe and widespread illness in adults, including pregnant women, while rarely infecting neonates. An incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis and viral spread has resulted in evolving guidelines to reduce transmission from infected mothers to neonates. Fortunately, the risk of neonatal infection via perinatal/postnatal transmission is low when recommended precautions are followed. However, the psychosocial implications of these practices and racial/ethnic disparities highlighted by this pandemic must also be addressed when caring for mothers and their newborns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of neonatal-perinatal perspectives of COVID-19, ranging from the basic science of infection and recommendations for care of pregnant women and neonates to important psychosocial, ethical, and racial/ethnic topics emerging as a result of both the pandemic and the response of the healthcare community to the care of infected individuals.