PHLEBOTOMY BLOOD LOSS IN HOSPITALIZED NEONATES

Dr. M. Poornima, Dr. V. Anurekha and *Dr. K. S. Kumaravel

ABSTRACT

The care of neonates, especially preterm and extremely preterm infants in neonatal units, requires increasing blood investigations, which results in significant blood withdrawal from these neonates. This blood loss can lead to substantial anemia that may sometimes necessitate transfusions. This study aimed to assess the extent of blood loss in hospitalized neonates at a tertiary care hospital. It is a cross-sectional study using convenient sampling of 100 neonates. Data collected included baseline clinical information, delta hematocrit (discharge hematocrit minus admission hematocrit), volume of phlebotomy, RBC transfusions, number of tests, phlebotomy counts, and outcomes. The mean delta hematocrit was 8.14 ± 5.60%, and the mean blood volume drawn through phlebotomy was 8.07 ± 4.96 ml (range: 1-21 ml). The average number of phlebotomy procedures was 3.40 ± 2.61, and the average number of tests was 8.01 ± 5.31. Eleven neonates required RBC transfusions. Neonatal units should evaluate their phlebotomy practices to reduce blood loss and prevent anemia of prematurity.

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