Hemotherapy in neonatology.

The intensive care of very immature preterm infants is of special significance in the treatment of neonates with blood and blood components. A new, practicable transfusion concept has been developed for this group with its high and often acute need of hemotherapeutic measures: 30-ml packs containing packed red cells of blood group 0 Rh neg, free of 'immune' anti-A/B and anti-CMV-free, or deep-frozen fresh plasma of blood group AB. This concept has the advantages of simplified pretransfusional serology, reduced blood requirement with simplified storage, fresher stored blood due to more rapid turnover, reduced risk of infection through reduction in number of donors per patient, implying a reduced strain on patients and personnel, and the opportunity provided by the reduced thawing time and the eliminated risk of error to commence therapy immediately after the decision.