BACKGROUND: This study present a review of erythrocyte transfusions in a neonatal intensive care unit in a Norwegian county hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective registration 1991-2002. A leucokyte-depleted erythrocyte solution, haematocrit 60%, was used. RESULTS: 28 infants in circulatory collapse received 30 transfusions because of asphyxia (15), twin-twin transfusion (5), septicaemia (3), umbilical cord rupture (3) or other causes (4). Haemoglobin increased 1.8 +/- 1.4 g/dl per 10 ml/kg transfused, compared to 2.6 +/- 1.2 g/dl in 183 transfusions for anaemia in 122 infants (p