1 U. S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia
A recent review of the charts of the last 100 consecutive neonatal exchange transfusions done at our hospital has uncovered some pertinent findings which were not presented in the article by Boggs and Westphal (Pediatrics, 26:745, 1960).
The original purpose of the survey was to attempt to demonstrate a direct correlation between "early exchanges" and fewer exchanges in controlling hyperbilirubinemia, especially in Rh incompatibility. It soon became evident that this could not be shown in a retrospective study, the most obvious reason being that earlier initial exchange transfusions are indicated in the more severe cases, which are also likely to require repeated transfusions.