Necrotizing enterocolitis after red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus: a case series

Abstract

Both patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion are risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The combination of PDA and PRBC transfusion may have a synergistic effect on the intestinal circulation. We present four cases of NEC in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants within 14 h after PRBC transfusion. All infants were growing on full enteral feeding, and they all had a PDA. We are concerned that the simultaneous presence of a PDA and PRBC transfusion in VLBW infants may place the infant at even greater risk of NEC than each of these factors alone.