INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS (IDM), AS WELL AS LARGE FOR GESTATIONAL AGE INFANTS (LGA) REQUIRE DIFFERENT GUIDELINES FOR PARTIAL EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION(P.Ex. T.) † 1175

Abstract

Variability in whole blood viscosity is dependent primarily on hematocrit(hct) levels, but red cell factors such as deformability and aggregability, and variations in plasma proteins also play a role. Previous studies had suggested that at a laboratory-standardized hct (50%), symptomatic IDM may have higher viscosity levels than healthy controls. We did a retrospective review of results from neonatal blood samples submitted to our laboratory during the past 5 years for viscosity determinations because of polycythemia and/or suspicion of hyperviscosity.119 neonatal records were available for review. The submitted blood samples were categorized into specific hct groups from 58% to 68%. Each hct group was divided into 2 subgroups: A) Infants who were known to be IDM, plus LGA infants not specifically documented as IDM. B) The remaining neonates who served as controls. Mean viscosity values of group A and of group B at each hct and at specific shear rates were compared by 2-way ANOVA. At each shear rate (90 and 11.25 sec-1) group A (IDM + LGA) was significantly greater than group B (control) (p<0.001). Mean viscosity values (centipoise) for the specified hct. groups are shown below at a shear rate of 90 sec-1: Table