ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue fever has become a major public health concern. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries with very high case fatality rate and children are the most affected age group worldwide. During explosive outbreaks, there is sudden surge in demands of blood components. Hence the aim of present research was to study the rational use of blood components in children with dengue by using WHO 2012 and NVBDCP 2015 (GOI) guidelines.Methods: Total 219 children of age ?12 years, who has been diagnosed to have dengue and received blood component therapy during 12 months of study period, were included in the study. The transfusions of blood components [packed red cells (PRC), platelets and fresh frozen plasma (FFP)] were being given to the cases accordance to the WHO and NVBDCP guidelines. The patients' demographic data, diagnosis, details of blood component therapy used the reason for transfusion was recorded.Results: Out of 219 children, 12(5.4%) children received platelet transfusion, 4(1.8%) children received PRC transfusion and 5(2.2%) children received FFP transfusion. One transfusion (4.7%) out of 12 platelet transfusion was inappropriate and all PRC and FFP transfusions were appropriate according to WHO and National Vector Born Disease Control Programme (GOI) guidelines.Conclusions: The need for platelet transfusion is often overemphasized and the fact is that the platelet count alone is not a predictor of bleeding. Unnecessary and empirical use of platelets should be completely avoided.