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

AIM: 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.

METHODS

We present four cases of NEC in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants within 14 h after PRBC transfusion.

RESULTS

All infants were growing on full enteral feeding, and they all had a PDA.

CONCLUSION

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.