Open AccessThe Changing Transfusion Practice of Neonatal and Pediatric Surgery
Author(s) -
Kling Pamela J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
transfusion alternatives in transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1778-428X
pISSN - 1295-9022
DOI - 10.1111/j.1778-428x.2002.tb00054.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anemia , perioperative , erythropoietin , blood transfusion , pediatric surgery , blood loss , intensive care medicine , disease , surgery , pediatrics
SUMMARY The use of erythrocyte transfusions to treat anemia in neonatal and pediatric surgery patients has changed dramatically over the last decade. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has been shown to decrease transfusion exposure in many disease states in both adults and children. rHuEPO has also been used perioperatively in children. This paper discusses perioperative anemia, the current status of rHuEPO therapy, surgical and non‐surgical strategies that minimize blood loss, and transfusion therapy in the pediatric surgical patient.