Blood-Transfusion-Associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis (TANEC)

Abstract

We are reporting here 3 cases of preterm babies who had severe fatal necrotizing enterocolitis in our NICU within 48
hours of packed RBCs transfusion. All the cases happened over one-month period. They were all relatively stable before
blood transfusion. The transfusion was given for anemia of prematurity as hemoglobin and hematocrit were low. Within
48 hours of the transfusion, they started to have abdominal distension and hypoactivity and rapidly progressed to severe
necrotizing enterocolitis and despite all supportive measures and pediatric surgeon involvement they died within one
day. We report these cases to alert neonatologists about blood transfusion associated Necrotizing enterocolitis (TANEC)
which is usually severe and can be fatal as in our cases.