en Legal Medicine Original Research Original Research <p> <strong> Background </strong>:Although transfusion is a common procedure for treating anemia of prematurity, there is no specific protocol for blood transfusion in premature newborns. So in this study we investigate whether application of a strict protocol has any statistically significant effect on reduction of blood transfusion. </p><p> <strong> Methods </strong>: In this study, first group admitted in NICU during 2005 - 2006 and the second group admitted during 2006 - 2007. Whereas in the first group the blood transfusion performed based on neonatologists' opinion following consultations with a pediatric hematologist, blood transfusion in the second group was based on the Shannon's protocol. </p><p> <strong> Results </strong>: During 2005-2006, out of 206 cases, 71 cases (%34.5) underwent blood infusion. During 2006-2007, out of 211 cases, 56 (%26.5) received blood transfusion based on the Shannon's strict protocol. Although the number of cases decreased, no significant difference was found betweenthe two groups (p=0.07). </p><p> <strong> Conculsion </strong>: Applying strict criteria alone is not effective in reducing the frequency of transfusion in infants. </p><p>  </p> Blood transfusion, Premature infants, Anemia. 787 792 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-746&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Fatemeh Nayeri fnayeri@tums.ac.ir 200319475328460013715 200319475328460013715 No Family Health Institute, Maternal- Fetal & Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Firozeh Nili fnili@sina.tums.ac.ir 200319475328460013716 200319475328460013716 No Family Health Institute, Maternal- Fetal & Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Bita Ebrahim BitaEbrahim@yahoo.ca 200319475328460013717 200319475328460013717 Yes Family Health Institute, Breast Feeding Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Zohreh Olomie Yazdi mfnhrc@tums.ac.ir 200319475328460013718 200319475328460013718 No Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Zahra Maliki mfnhrc@yahoo.com 200319475328460013719 200319475328460013719 No Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.