Open AccessRed Blood Cell Transfusion Practices in Pediatric Critical Care
Author(s) -
Lacroix Jacques,
Tucci Marisa,
Gauvin France
Publication year - 2004
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.2004.tb00114.x
Subject(s) - medicine , critically ill , intensive care medicine , intensive care , red blood cell transfusion , clinical practice , blood transfusion , family medicine , surgery
Summary In this paper, we review all published papers on the practice patterns of pediatric intensivists with respect to the transfusion of red blood cells to critically ill children. In order to achieve this task, we address three questions: (1) What do pediatric intensivists think about RBC transfusion? (2) What do they do in practice? (3) What should be done? A review of the available evidence in the medical literature was undertaken, and the results reported. We concluded that there is a large variation in stated and observed practice patterns in pediatric intensive care. The hemoglobin concentration, as well as many other host‐specific factors, modulate the decision to prescribe a RBC transfusion in critically ill children. Hard data that support the prevalent practice pattern are scarce. Clearly, more clinical studies are required to better define the best red blood cell transfusion strategy in pediatric intensive care units.