Effect of blood transfusion on acid base, glucose and electrolyte status in very low birth weight infants.

The effect of citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) blood transfusion on the acid base, glucose and electrolyte status of VLBW infants was studied in infants aged 1-7, 8-20 and greater than 20 days; a 4th group composed of infants greater than 20 days subjected to a second transfusion was also studied. All the infants remained clinically well during and after the transfusion. Only the infants in the group 1-7 days experienced a significant fall in ionic Ca and PO2. No significant change in all the other parameters studied was observed. In the other groups of infants studied, the changes observed were not significant, and became less with increasing age and repeat transfusion. VLBW infants apparently tolerate CPD blood transfusion well.