Indications and Outcome of Albumin Infusion in a Neonatal Population: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: To determine the indications for human albumin infusion in neonatal units, as well as the neonatal outcomes after receiving human albumin. Study design: A cross sectional study in neonatal ward at child’s central teaching hospital in Baghdad conducted over 12 months period between December 2019 and December 2020 in Iraq. Infants who received albumin infusion for hypoalbuminemia or any other reason during study period were included in the study. Mortality and morbidities were recorded. Alterations in renal and liver function tests and serum albumin level before and after albumin infusion were recorded. Results: 80 neonates required human albumin transfusion therapy 150 times during the study. In (31.25%) the indication for albumin transfusion was the presence of edema, while in (68.75%) the indication was hypoalbuminemia. During 30 days follow up, (82.5%) have survived and discharged well, while (17.5%) died during hospitalization. Four factors were found to be significantly associated with mortality in neonates undergoing albumin transfusion, which are prematurity, low birth weight, presence of comorbidity and higher number of albumin infusions. The mean urea concentration in deceased group was significantly higher than that of survived neonates. There was a significant reduction in blood urea after the last transfusion in survived neonates. Conclusion: In the absence of evidence-based guidelines for albumin infusion in neonatal period, albumin used mainly to correct underlying hypoalbuminemia higher mortality rate was documented in neonate who received albumin infusions in higher number of times.