BLOOD TRANSFUSION: A POSSIBLE RISK FACTOR IN RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA

Abstract

The effect of blood transfusion on the occurrence of RLF [retrolental fibroplasia] was evaluated in 58 infants who weighed less than 1001 g at birth (group I) and 70 O2 treated infants of various birth weights (group II). Although there was no significantly difference between group I infants with or without exchange transfusion as to birth weight, gestational age, duration of O2 therapy, peak PaO2 [arterial partial pressure of O2] or multiple births, there was a significantly increased incidence of pre-retrolental fibroplasia in transfused over non-transfused group II infants. When group II infants were stratified for prematurity and oxygen duration, this difference persisted in those not already at risk for RLF. This increased incidence of retinopathy in transfused infants suggests that blood transfusion may be a risk factor in the pathogenesis of RLF.