{"title":"Should granulocyte transfusion therapy for septic neutropenic neonates be resurrected?","authors":"Shelley M. Lawrence","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nearly half a century ago, granulocyte transfusions were trialed in critically ill, septic, neutropenic neonates and showed improved survival when used concurrently with antimicrobials. Benefits were particularly noteworthy for Gram-negative and fungal infections. The introduction of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor into clinical medicine in 1991 and inherent problems associated with granulocyte procurement for transfusion caused granulocyte transfusions to become nearly extinct for this patient population. Simultaneous technological and clinical management advancements have enabled the survival of younger neonates, who are at the highest risk for neutropenia and neonatal sepsis. These infants have well-documented developmental deficiencies in the number and functional capabilities of their neutrophils compared to older patients. A continued surge in antimicrobial resistance and an increasing number of Gram-negative infections have created an urgent need for clinicians to rethink old therapies and consider new ones. This review details the evolution of granulocyte transfusions and whether they should be resurrected in neonatal patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101616"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143558544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prenatal diagnosis and treatment of congenital anemias","authors":"Yair J. Blumenfeld","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101613","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101613"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143537864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Robin K. Ohls , Timothy M. Bahr , Thomas G. Peterson , Robert D. Christensen
{"title":"A practical guide to reducing/eliminating red blood cell transfusions in the neonatal intensive care unit","authors":"Robin K. Ohls , Timothy M. Bahr , Thomas G. Peterson , Robert D. Christensen","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2024.101545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2024.101545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Red blood cell transfusions can be lifesaving for neonates with severe anemia or acute massive hemorrhage. However, it is imperative to understand that red cell transfusions convey unique and significant risks for neonates. The extremely rare risks of transmitting a viral, bacterial, or other microbial infection, or causing circulatory overload are well known and are part of blood transfusion informed consent. Less well known, and not always part of the consent process, are more common risks of transfusing the smallest and most immature NICU patients; specifically, multiple transfusions may worsen inflammatory conditions (particularly pulmonary inflammation), and in certain subsets are associated with retinopathy of prematurity and neurodevelopmental delay. Instituting non-pharmacological transfusion-avoidance techniques reduces transfusion rates. Pharmacological transfusion-avoidance, specifically erythropoietic stimulating agents, further reduces the risk of needing a transfusion. The protocols described herein constitute an efficient and cost-effective transfusion-avoidance program. Using these protocols, many NICU patients can remain transfusion-free.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101545"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Revised World Health Organization (WHO) classification of G6PD gene variants: Relevance to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia","authors":"Jon F. Watchko , Vinod K. Bhutani","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The WHO recently revised their classification schema for G6PD gene variants. Notably, the previously separate Class II (severe enzyme deficiency; <10 % normal) and Class III (moderate enzyme deficiency; 10–60 % normal) variant groups are now combined into a single new category designated as Class B. Class B variants exhibit G6PD enzymatic activity in the <45 % of normal range. This welcome and prudent reclassification far better aligns with the neonatal hyperbilirubinemia risk reported in neonates with i) former “less severe” Class III variants including <em>G6PD A-</em> and ii) female neonates heterozygous for deficient alleles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101619"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143537884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Robert D. Christensen , Timothy M. Bahr , Robin K. Ohls , Kenneth J. Moise Jr.
{"title":"Neonatal/perinatal diagnosis of hemolysis using ETCOc","authors":"Robert D. Christensen , Timothy M. Bahr , Robin K. Ohls , Kenneth J. Moise Jr.","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2024.101547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2024.101547","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hemolysis is a pathological shortening of the red blood cell lifespan. When hemolysis occurs in a neonate, hazardous hyperbilirubinemia and severe anemia could result. Hemolysis can be diagnosed, and its severity quantified, by the non-invasive measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaled breath. The point-of-care measurement is called “End-tidal CO corrected for ambient CO” (ETCOc). Herein we explain how ETCOc measurements can be used to diagnose and manage various perinatal/neonatal hemolytic disorders. We provide information regarding five clinical situations; 1) facilitating a precise diagnosis among <em>neonates</em> presenting with anemia or jaundice of unknown etiology, 2) monitoring <em>fetal</em> hemolysis with serial measurements of mothers during pregnancy, 3) measuring the <em>duration</em> of hemolysis in neonates with hemolytic disease, 4) measuring neonates who require <em>phototherapy,</em> to determine whether they have hemolytic <em>vs.</em> non-hemolytic jaundice, and 5) measuring <em>all neonates</em> in the birth hospital as part of a jaundice-detection and management program.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101547"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142511654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Iron supplementation for infants in the NICU: What preparation, how much, and how long is optimal?","authors":"Sandra Juul , Kendell German","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Infants born preterm or with other perinatal risk factors are at added risk for both iron deficiency and overload. Insufficient iron supplementation in the perinatal period is associated with long-term neurodevelopmental effects. Based on this, iron supplements must be targeted to infants’ individual iron needs to avoid the adverse effects of both iron deficiency and overload. Enteral iron supplements have been the gold standard in iron supplementation of neonates for many years. However, emerging parenteral formulations may provide an alternative for some infants, such as those who are unable to tolerate oral supplements or who are refractory to enteral supplementation. Optimal dosing and timing of supplementation is an area of ongoing research. In this review, we will summarize available enteral and parenteral iron formulations, review iron measurement parameters, and identify outstanding questions and ongoing research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101612"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143524952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Platelet transfusion and bleeding risk","authors":"Valeria Cortesi , Enrico Lopriore , Susanna Fustolo-Gunnink","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101608","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101608","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In neonatal patients, bleeding is a multifactorial event in which several factors may play a pathogenic role. Among these, thrombocytopenia is often considered a risk factor for bleeding, although a causal relationship has never been demonstrated. In fact, major bleeding mainly occurs in non-thrombocytopenic newborns and thrombocytopenic newborns rarely experience major bleeding. Therefore, parameters other than platelet count might better assess the hemostatic function and define bleeding risk. Historically, neonatologists aimed to reduce the risk of bleeding by administering platelet transfusions. However, recent studies demonstrated that transfusing newborns at higher threshold is associated with an increased risk of death, bleeding, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neurodevelopmental impairment. The mechanism behind this association is not known and various hypotheses have been proposed, including the non-hemostatic effects of adult-derived platelets transfused into neonates. Alternatively, the rapid volume expansion caused by a platelet transfusion might cause hemodynamic instability and cardiocirculatory overload. Guidelines about platelet transfusions should now include this recent evidence and adopt more stringent thresholds. Future research should focus on finding alternative or improved transfusion products more suitable for newborns.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101608"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Severe anemia predisposes very premature infants to transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis","authors":"Akhil Maheshwari","doi":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.siny.2025.101615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a catastrophic inflammatory bowel necrosis of premature infants. The etiology is unknown, but 25–40 % of cases have a history of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the preceding 48 h. This association has been noted in retrospective case/case-control studies, and many meta-analyses, and in a murine model. However, we still need human studies with larger, adequately powered cohorts to confirm this association and determine the operant mechanisms. The murine model shows that severe anemia leads to macrophage infiltration in the gut mucosa. Subsequent RBC transfusions containing free hemoglobin, activate nuclear factor-kappa B-mediated inflammatory changes and cause NEC-like mucosal injury. This review summarizes current human and experimental data to evaluate ta-NEC and hitherto unanswered mechanistic questions. If a causal relationship between transfusions and NEC is proven, these data could help develop effective therapeutic strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49547,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine","volume":"30 1","pages":"Article 101615"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}