Audit of transfusion practices in pediatrics in a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

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.