Abstract.
BACKGROUND: Contradictory evidence exists whether a prophylactic coagulation factor transfusion in the first hours of life (HOL) prevents intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in extreme preterm infants (EPI, <28 weeks gestation). We aimed to determine whether selective prophylactic solvent-detergent plasma and cryoprecipitate transfusion within 12 hours of life (SP-SDP/Cryoprecipitate-T) could prevent IVH in EPI.
METHOD: This is a retrospective analysis, case-historical control, of prospectively collected data from a pre-existing electronic neonatal database at a Saudi tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. We compared the IVH rate in EPI born in the first 4 years (Jan 2010–Dec 2013) of the SP-SDP/Cryoprecipitate-T period with that of EPI born during the last 4 years (Jan 2006–Dec 2009) of the rescue SDP/Cryoprecipitate-T period.
RESULTS: The IVH rate was lower in the SP compared to the rescue- SDP/Cryoprecipitate-T period (30.8% versus 51.2%, odds ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.21, 0.88, p = 0.02). This difference remained significant after controlling for six other IVH risk factors.
CONCLUSIONS: Early SP-SDP/Cryoprecipitate-T may reduce the IVH rate in EPI. A large multicenter clinical trial is required to confirm the short and long-term benefit and risk of this intervention. Until then, early SP-SDP/Cryoprecipitate-T may be considered by an institution with a persistently high IVH rate.