Patterns of phlebotomy blood loss and transfusions in extremely low birth weight infants

Objective Characterize frequency and volume of blood draws and transfusions in extremely low birth weight infants in the first 10 weeks of life. Study design We included infants with a birth weight <1000 g born 23 0/7–29 6/7 weeks gestational age (GA) and with a length of stay ≥10 weeks, admitted between 2014 and 2016 to a single neonatal intensive care unit. Results Of 54 infants, median (25th, 75th percentile) GA and birth weight were 25 weeks (24, 26) and 665 g (587, 822), respectively. Median number of blood draws per infant decreased from 57 (49, 65) in week 1 to 12 (8, 22) in week 10. Median volume of blood extracted was 83 mL (70, 97), and median number of blood transfusions was 8 (5, 10). Conclusions This cohort experienced a high number and volume of blood draws. Draw frequency and transfusions decreased over the first 10 weeks of life.