Reducing the need for transfusion in preterm infants: Is there a role for erythropoietin?

Small volume blood transfusions are very common occurrences on neonatal intensive care units. The smallest, sickest and most vulnerable infants require the greatest number of blood transfusions. This article outlines the issues raised by the use of blood transfusions and the evidence for the use of erythropoietin and other methods to minimise the number that are given.