Life-threatening condition in preemies linked to blood type

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-11/luhs-lci112111.php

Public release date: 21-Nov-2011
Contact: Jim Ritter
Loyola University Health System
Changing blood transfusion practices might reduce incidence

MAYWOOD, Ill. -- Many premature infants suffer a life-threatening destruction of intestinal tissue called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Now a Loyola University Medical Center study has identified a major risk factor for NEC: Preemies with the AB blood type who develop NEC are nearly three times as likely to die from it as preemies with other blood types.

The finding suggests that a simple change in blood transfusion practices in neonatal ICUs could significantly reduce the incidence of NEC.

The study is published online ahead of print in the Journal of Perinatology. Senior author is Jonathan Muraskas, MD, co-medical director of Loyola's neonatal ICU. First author is Tricia Thomson, MD, an assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology.

NEC is the most common serious gastrointestinal disorder among preterm newborns. Each year, it affects about 7,000 newborns born at least eight weeks premature or weighing less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces.

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Preemies often require multiple blood transfusions. Neonatal ICUs typically give Type O, the universal donor type. But this practice may inadvertently cause an enhanced immune reaction. This reaction, in turn, could be a reason why AB babies who develop NEC have a higher mortality.

Researchers suggest it may be prudent to change transfusion practices so that preemies receive their specific blood types, rather than the universal donor Type O. "Although this will likely not eradicate NEC, it is an easily modifiable factor that may help to prevent those cases of NEC that develop in relation to the transfusion of blood products," researchers wrote.

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