Letter to the Editor: Blood products used in exchange transfusion should also be screened for opioids

Madam, neonatal jaundice is one of common causes of morbidity and mortality among neonates worldwide. Mortality rate associated with Exchange Blood Transfusion (EBT) has been reported to range from 0.4% to 3.2%.2 For a 3 kilogram baby, two times of blood volume will be 500 mL of transfusion.It has been shown that 12% to 20% of neonates in some countries develop apnoea following EBT.3 This is considerably higher than other countries which are reported to be 0.34% to 10%.4 To date no concrete reason has been given to justify the significant discrepancy between them.