The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: Rethinking our approach to neonatal transfusion research

Many preterm infants are exposed to multiple transfusion types during their admission in the neonatal intensive care unit. Yet, evidence supporting current practice consists of several randomized controlled trials and observational studies focusing on a single transfusion product at the time. Rather than approaching transfusions as three distinct categories as currently done in the literature, there may be benefit by accounting for the interconnected nature of these practices. In this Clinical Research Focus article, we advocate for a broader perspective in future research on neonatal transfusion practices. By looking at the whole instead of its parts, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of transfusion exposure, potential associated adverse effects, and their implications for neonatal care.