Appropriateness of blood component transfusion in children in a tertiary care teaching hospital

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Appropriateness of Blood component transfusion in children in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Geetanjali Jindal¹, Vipul Kumar Gupta², Ravneet Kaur³, Vishal Guglani¹.

¹Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Chandigarh, India,
²Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India,
³Department of Transfusion Medicine, Government Medical College, Chandigarh, India.

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Abstract
Aim: The present study aims to assess appropriateness of blood component transfusions in Indian children.
Material and Methods: An observational retrospective done at pediatric department in a tertiary care teaching hospital. All 3 months-12 years old in-patients receiving any blood component were included over a period of 6 months and analyzed for appropriateness of transfusions received as per standard guidelines.
Results: Total 51 fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusions were given in 31 patients of which 28 (55%) were given because of deranged coagulogram without bleeds, 17 (33%) had bleeds and 6 (11.7%) received for other miscellaneous indications. Thirty-nine (76%) FFP transfusions were unjustified. Total 31 platelet transfusions were given in 19 patients of which 16 (51%) were given prophylactically, 14 (45%) received for bleeds and 1 before lumbar puncture. Out of the total 31 platelet transfusions, 8 (26%) were clearly avoidable. Total 138 packed red blood cell transfusions (PRBC) were given in 128 patients of which 123 were given for treatment of anemia (70 in thalassemics and 53 for anemia with varied diagnosis), 6 peri-operatively and 9 with active bleeds. Thirty-six (26%) out of 138 PRBC transfusions were given unnecessarily.
Conclusion: A large percentage of blood component transfusions (FFP, platelet and PRBC) are given without any definitive indication and are avoidable. There is an urgent need to generate awareness among treating doctors regarding appropriate transfusion practices.

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