Red Blood Cell Transfusions Affect Intestinal and Cerebral Oxygenation Differently in Preterm Infants with and without Subsequent Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Objective To assess intestinal and cerebral oxygenation during and after red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterms with or without subsequent transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis (TANEC).Study Design In preterms ofResults In TANEC infants, r (c) SO (2) was lower during and after RBC transfusions than in controls, median (interquartile range) 55% (50-62) versus 72% (65-75), pConclusion In preterm infants lower r (c) SO (2) , but not r (int) SO (2) , values during and after RBC transfusions are associated with TANEC. Lower r (int) SO (2) and r (c) SO (2) variabilities after RBC transfusions may represent a diminished capacity for vascular adaptation, possibly leading to TANEC.