Splanchnic Oxygenation Response to Feeds in Preterm Neonates: Effect of Red Blood Cell Transfusion

Since 1987, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions have been proposed as a potential risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is one of the most severe gastrointestinal complications of prematurity. Evidence from Doppler studies have shown a post-transfusion impairment of mesenteric blood flow in response to feeds, whereas NIRS studies have reported transient changes of splanchnic oxygenation after RBC transfusion; a possible role for these findings in increasing the risk for TANEC development has been hypothesized. The aim of this study is to evaluate SrSO2 patterns in response to enteral feeding before and after transfusion.