The number of blood transfusions received and the incidence and severity of chronic lung disease among NICU patients born >31 weeks gestation

We previously reported the possible pathogenic role, among infants born ≤29 weeks, of transfusions in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The present study examined this association in infants born >31 weeks.

Analysis of red blood cell (RBC) and platelet transfusions in five NICUs to infants born >31 weeks, and chronic neonatal lung disease (CNLD) at six-weeks of age.

Seven-hundred-fifty-one infants born >31 weeks were still in the NICU when six-weeks of age. CNLD was identified in 397 (53%). RBC and platelet transfusions were independently associated with CNLD after controlling for potential confounders. For every transfusion, the adjusted odds of developing CNLD increased by a factor of 1.64 (95% CI, 1.38–2.02; p < 0.001).

Among NICU patients born >31 weeks, transfusions received by six weeks are associated with CNLD incidence and severity. Though we controlled for known confounding variables in our regression models, severity of illness is an important confounder that limits our conclusions.