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

METHODSFifty-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.

RESULTSTreatment 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.

CONCLUSIONAutomated 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.