Post-transfusion hemoglobin estimation in Filipino children and adolescents using an alternative red cell volume transfusion formula

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:</strong> Conventional red cell transfusion formulae used in clinical practice has shown underestimation of the actual post-transfusion hemoglobin level. To address this problem, we aimed to determine if there is an agreement between computed and actual post-transfusion hemoglobin levels using an alternative red cell transfusion formula.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Using Morris' formula, the red cell volume requirements of the participants were computed and post-transfusion hemoglobin levels were obtained for comparison.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>RESULT:</strong> Majority of the 116participants belongs to age between 2 to 5 years (39.5%) and female (54.3%). Most common indication was hemoglobin level < 7 g/dL with manifestations of anemia (56%). The computed and actual post-transfusion hemoglobin were in agreement. The increase in hemoglobin had direct relationship to the volume of blood transfused and inverse relationship to the age and weight of the patients.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Using Morris' formula, the computed and actual post-transfusion hemoglobin values were in agreement. The volume of transfused red cells, age, and weight are predictors of the increase in post-transfusion hemoglobin. This formula can be adopted for Filipino pediatric patients and can obviate the need for hemoglobin determination after transfusion.</p>