[Automated peripheral arteriovenous exchange transfusion for treatment of severe hyperbilirubinemia in neonates].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of automated peripheral arteriovenous exchange transfusion for treatment of severe hyperbilirubinemia in neonates.

METHODS: Fifty-three neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia underwent automated peripheral arteriovenous exchange transfusion, and the changes in the blood gas, electrolytes and some biochemical indices after the exchange transfusion were evaluated.

RESULTS: Treatment with the exchange transfusion resulted in a significant reduction in the total serum bilirubin with an exchange rate of 53.12% (P<0.01). The levels of serum kalium, calcium, magnesium, white blood cell count, platelets, and pH showed reductions while blood glucose exhibited a significant elevation changes after the transfusion (P<0.01), which all recovered the normal levels within 48 h. No obvious alterations occurred in the respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, or saturation of blood oxygen during the transfusion.

CONCLUSION: Automated peripheral arteriovenous exchange transfusion can rapidly reduce serum bilirubin levels in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia without obviously affecting the blood gas balance or blood electrolyte or glucose levels.