Conventionally the packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion volume given to neonates is 10 ml/kg to 20 ml/kg. The weight-based formulae underestimate the volume of PRBC required to achieve a target hematocrit (Hct) in preterm neonates. The study was done to compare the rise in Hct after transfusing PRBC volume calculated either based on body weight or using formula considering Hct of blood bag and Hct of preterm neonates. This prospective study included a total of 68 preterm neonates requiring transfusion for the first time having ≤ 34 weeks of gestational age. Neonates were randomized using block randomization, to receive 15 ml/kg of PRBC transfusion (group A) or transfusion based on the formula (group B). The primary outcome of interest was post-transfusion rise in hematocrit. The secondary outcome was the effect of transfusion on neonatal morbidities in terms of retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and death. Baseline variables (birth weight, gestation age, APGAR score and score of neonatal acute physiology) pre-transfusion hemodynamics and hematocrit of the bag were comparable in both groups. The mean volume of PRBC in group A was 18.8 ± 4.9 ml, whereas in group B it was 29.6 ± 7.3 ml, p = 0.0001. Group B transfusions had a statistically significant change in 24 h post-transfusion hematocrit. Secondary outcomes were comparable in two groups. Post transfusion rise in Hct of the patient in group B was significant as compared to group A. The study needed huge sample size to establish a difference in the number of re-transfusions required across two groups. The trial was registered under the clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2018/01/011,063).

传统上，新生儿的浓缩红细胞（PRBC）输注量为10ml/kg至20ml/kg。基于体重的公式低估了早产儿达到目标血细胞比容 (Hct) 所需的 PRBC 体积。该研究的目的是比较输注 PRBC 体积后 Hct 的上升情况，该体积是根据体重计算的，或者使用考虑血袋 Hct 和早产新生儿 Hct 的公式计算的。这项前瞻性研究共纳入了 68 名胎龄≤ 34 周且首次需要输血的早产新生儿。新生儿采用分组随机化方法进行随机分组，接受 15 ml/kg PRBC 输注（A 组）或根据配方输注（B 组）。感兴趣的主要结果是输血后血细胞比容的上升。次要结局是输血对新生儿发病率的影响，包括早产儿视网膜病变、支气管肺发育不良、脑室内出血、坏死性小肠结肠炎和死亡。两组的基线变量（出生体重、孕龄、APGAR评分和新生儿急性生理学评分）、输血前血流动力学和血细胞比容具有可比性。 A 组 PRBC 的平均体积为 18.8 ± 4.9 ml，而 B 组为 29.6 ± 7.3 ml，p = 0.0001。 B组输血在输血后24小时血细胞比容有统计学显着变化。两组的次要结果具有可比性。与 A 组相比，B 组患者的输血后 Hct 上升显着。该研究需要大量样本才能确定两组之间所需重新输血次数的差异。该试验在印度临床试验登记处注册（CTRI/2018/01/011,063）。