Audit of transfusion practices in pediatrics in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Audit of transfusion practices in pediatric patients was performed to study indications, clinical profile and whether transfusions were in accordance to guidelines.Methods: Retrospective analysis of all episodes of transfusions from a tertiary care centre was done. The study period was from January 2018 to December 2018.Patients in the age group of 4 months to 12 years were enrolled in the study. The data was reviewed according to the British Committee for Standards in Haematology guidelines for transfusion.Results: During the study period of 12 months,168 units of hemocomponents were transfused to children, 66.07% (111/168) of the total products transfused were packed red cell units, followed by 36 units (21.42%) of fresh frozen plasma and 21 units (12.5%) platelets. Overall usage of blood components was found to be appropriate in 58.33% (98/111). Red blood cells were the most appropriately transfused (64.86 %) (72 units out of 111) blood product as compared to 42.85% of platelets (9/21) and 47.22% of FFP (17/36).Conclusions: Most frequently transfused blood components are red blood cells in pediatrics. Inappropriate transfusion of blood components is hinders the utility of this valuable resource, Thus it becomes necessary to conduct regular audit of blood component transfusion for optimum utilization.

Transfusion of Blood and Components in Critically Ill Children.

The physicians prescribing transfusions must have a thorough understanding of the various blood products, their indications and contraindications, and requirements for modification of the blood products to prevent probable adverse effects. Decision to give an RBC transfusion should not be based solely on Hb concentration, it should take in account high severity of illness; active bleeding; emergency surgery; etc. Using restrictive transfusion strategy of transfusion RBCs can decrease transfusion requirements without increasing adverse outcomes. In most circumstances, platelets should be maintained greater than 10×109/L. Platelet counts greater than 20×109/L are indicated for invasive procedures and greater than 50× 109/L for major surgeries or invasive procedures with risk of bleeding. Whenever possible, ABO-compatible platelets should be administered. Fresh frozen plasma should be transfused in multiple coagulation factor deficiencies, DIC with bleeding, replacement of rare single congenital factor deficiencies when specific concentrates are not available (e.g., protein C or factor II, V, X, XI, or XIII deficiency). During transfusion child should be monitored carefully.

Clinical Evaluation of Patients who Received a Blood Transfusion During Operation / 대한마취과학회지

Of a total of 11690 operative cases, 2111 patients who received a transfusion during operation were analyzed statistically at the Department of Anesthesiology, Chung-Nam University Hospital from January 1985 to December 1987 according to department, sex, preoperative hemoglobin, blood type, operation time and blood component therapy. The results as follows: 1) The percentage of transfused patients among all operative cases was 18.05 percent. 2) Of all the transfused patients, 477 cases(22.95%) were general surgery cases. 3) Of all the transfused patients, 1187 cases(56.2%) were male. 4) The mean value of hemoglobin measured preoperatively was 10~15g/dl (72.19%). 5) The most frequent cases of transfusion were done in operations requiring 2~3 hours. 6) Blood component therapy was preformed 11 percent in 1985, 26.73 percent in 1986, and 80.72 percent in 1987. The number of cases receiving blood component therapy has tended to increase year by year.