What is a key consideration when administering transfusions to neonates?

When administering transfusions to neonates, a key consideration is that smaller volumes and specific product modifications are necessary. Neonates, particularly preterm and low-birth-weight infants, have unique physiological characteristics that differ significantly from older children and adults. Their blood volume is much smaller, and they are more susceptible to the complications of transfusion, such as volume overload. Therefore, transfusions are administered in smaller aliquots.

Additionally, specific product modifications are often needed. For instance, blood products for neonates are typically irradiated to prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD), and they may also need to be leukoreduced to minimize the risk of febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. Using specially prepared blood products helps to ensure the safety and efficacy of the transfusion in this vulnerable population.

The other options do not align with safe transfusion practices for neonates; administering adult dosages without modification does not consider their smaller size and unique physiology, suggesting larger volumes ignores their limited blood capacity, and avoiding transfusions altogether would be inappropriate when transfusions are clinically indicated for conditions like anemia or hemorrhage.