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Paediatric Transfusion-1 - 2
Paediatric Transfusion-1 - 2
PAEDIATRIC TRANSFUSION
SETTING Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
PATIENTS All paediatric patients receiving care at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
(note separate guidance for neonatal transfusion available, not included in this
document)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents:
3. Cryoprecipitate Page 8
5. Platelets Page 10
References Page 15
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Abbreviations Used Throughout Guideline:
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1. RED BLOOD CELL TRANSFUSIONS:
1.1.1. If the reason for anaemia is not known, ensure blood samples for investigation are taken
prior to transfusion
1.1.2. If a treatable cause is identified, e.g. B12, folate, iron deficiency, haemolytic anaemia –
start appropriate treatment immediately. It may be possible to avoid transfusion, regardless
of haemoglobin level.
1.1.3. The prescribing doctor should give family/patient information about the risks and benefits of
red cell transfusion and document the indication in the patient notes.
1.1.4. Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), thalassaemia and others requiring long term
transfusion support should have full red cell phenotyping performed prior to transfusion.
1.2.1. The decision to transfuse red blood cells should not be solely based on the haemoglobin
but should take into account the patient’s symptoms and clinical features.
70 g/l 90 g/l
• Stable patients / asymptomatic • Unstable patients
anaemia • Symptomatic anaemia
• Stable non-cyanotic heart disease • Patients with cyanotic congenital
patients following heart disease
CardioPulmonary Bypass (CPB) • Severe sepsis with high plasma
• Elective non-cardiac surgery lactate and/or mixed venous
perioperative patients* saturations < 50%
• Oncology/Haemopoietic Stem Cell
Transplant (HSCT) patients
• Neonatal patients often require higher transfusion thresholds – see separate BRHC
Guideline - Transfusion Guidelines for Neonates)
• Patients with specific conditions such as chronic anaemia, B12 or folate deficiency,
haemoglobinopathies, Diamond Blackfan anaemia may require different transfusion
thresholds and may be at risk of developing complications – transfusion should be
discussed with a haematologist in these circumstances.
• Extra Corporeal Life Support (ECLS) patients – maintain Hb > 100 g/l
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1.2.3. *Note on Surgical Patients:
1.3.3. RhD-negative red cells should be selected for all RhD-negative patients less than 18 years
old and all females of child-bearing age.
1.3.4. All females under 60 years of age should receive K-negative red cells
1.3.5. Patients with SCD, thalassaemia, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and others requiring
long term transfusion should have Rh and Kell matched blood
1.3.6. All available red blood cell products are leucodepleted (<5x106 per unit)
1.3.7. Consider whether the blood is required to be irradiated and/or CMV negative – see
Sections 8 and 9
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1.3.8. Red Cell Products Available for Paediatric Use:
1.4.1. In non-bleeding patients it is recommended that the target post-transfusion Hb is not more
than 20 g/l above the transfusion threshold.
1.4.2. The following formula should be used to calculate the volume of RBCs required for
transfusion [Davis et al. Transfusion 2007;47:212-6]:
Make sure you are using the correct units for Hb when using this calculation i.e. g/l
1.4.3. After calculating, double check that the final volume calculated is not more than 20ml/kg
(usually a volume of 15ml/kg is adequate for paediatric top up transfusion).
1.4.4. This volume should also not exceed the maximum normally prescribed for adult in a similar
situation ie 1 unit (approx. 280ml) red cells for a paediatric top up transfusion.
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1.5. Transfusion Rate:
1.5.1. Aim to give typical top up red blood cell transfusion over 3 hours, but may be quicker
depending on clinical situation:
• Could consider giving over 2 hours in patients who are regularly transfused
• See separate BRHC Guideline – Major Haemorrhage Procedure
1.5.2. Typical top up transfusion rate: 5ml/kg/hr (usually maximum rate: 150ml/hr)
2.1.1. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is produced from whole blood and contains coagulation factors
as well as other plasma proteins such as immunoglobulins and albumin.
2.1.2. The aetiology of a coagulopathy should be known prior to the use of FFP or undertaking
invasive procedures.
2.1.3. Coagulopathy in children is often defined as a PT(INR) or aPTT ≥1.5x the mid-point of the
normal range.
2.2 Indications:
2.2.1 DIC:
• Consider FFP if the PT/aPTT is ≥1.5x normal, and the child is bleeding, or if an
invasive procedure is planned
• If fibrinogen is low, then cryoprecipitate and/or fibrinogen concentrate may be
required, or be a better alternative
2.2.2 Burns patients where Toxic Shock Syndrome/Sepsis is proven or suspected:
• (See separate BRHC Guideline – Burns: Paediatric Toxic Shock Syndrome and
Sepsis)
2.2.3 During/Post cardiac bypass surgery:
• If significant bleeding and PT ≥1.5x normal
2.2.4 ECMO patients:
• Use FFP (with vitamin K) if INR ≥ 1.5
• See separate BRHC Guideline - ECMO Guideline
2.2.5 Major Blood Loss/Massive Transfusion:
• Early use of FFP (and platelets and cryoprecipitate) is recommended to reduce
coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia
See separate BRHC Guideline – Major Haemorrhage Procedure
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• If active bleeding: give FFP as well as IV vitamin K
2.2.7 Heritable bleeding disorders:
• Severe hereditary protein S deficiency
• Severe hereditary protein C deficiency (however protein C concentrate should be
used in preference if available)
• Anti-thrombin III deficiency – especially if patient is on heparin
2.2.8 Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura:
• Often requires urgent plasma exchange with solvent detergent treated FFP –
discuss with haematology
2.2.9 Liver disease:
• FFP often poorly corrects clotting abnormalities in this instance and large fluid
volumes are not well tolerated.
• Vitamin K is often a key component of treatment.
• Expert advice should be sought from a Paediatric Liver Unit (Birmingham Children’s
Hospital or King’s College London) if required.
2.2.10 Prophylactic FFP should not be given to non-bleeding children with minor prolongation of
the PT/aPTT including prior to surgery (although it may be considered if surgery to critical
sites is planned e.g. neurosurgery/ophthalmic surgery)
2.4.1 Transfusion volume: 15-20ml/kg (use higher volume in bleeding patients, but caution if at
risk of volume overload)
2.4.2 Transfusion volume: 10ml/kg transfusion volume is suggested for ECMO and Burns/TSS
patients, see separate BRHC guidelines:
• ECMO Guideline
• Burns: Paediatric Toxic Shock Syndrome and Sepsis
2.4.3 Transfusion rate: 10-20ml/kg/hr
2.4.4 Use within 4 hours of defrosting if factor VIII replacement is needed e.g. Disseminated
Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). Otherwise may be stored at 4ᵒC before administration to
the patient providing the infusion is completed within 24 hours.
2.4.5 Coagulation studies must be carried out before and after transfusion of FFP
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2.5 FFP Products Available for Paediatric Use:
3. CRYOPRECIPITATE
3.1 General Points
3.1.1 Cryoprecipitate is a major source of fibrinogen but also contains other clotting factors such
as Factor XIII, von Willebrand Factor and Fibronectin
3.1.2 One of its most common uses is therefore to enhance fibrinogen levels in
dysfibrinogenaemia and in acquired dysfibrinogenaemia (e.g. DIC) and massive
transfusion).
3.2 Indications
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3.2.5 Prophylaxis prior to surgery - only if risk of significant bleeding or surgery to critical site
(central nervous system, eyes) – fibrinogen threshold for transfusion < 1.0g/l
3.2.6 Inherited hypofibrinogenaemia – fibrinogen threshold for transfusion < 1.0g/l. Should only
be used if fibrinogen concentrate is unavailable.
• Fibrinogen concentrate should be considered for patients with congenital
afibrinogenaemia or hypofibrinogenaemia during acute bleeding episodes or as
prophylaxis prior to surgery
3.2.7 Von Willebrand Factor replacement in renal failure where DDAVP contraindicated
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4.4. The haematology registrar/consultant on call should be contacted to authorise use
5. PLATELETS
The cause of thrombocytopenia should be established prior to platelet transfusion
5.1 Indications:
5.1.1. It is important to consider the clinical setting and patient factors as well as platelet count
when considering the need for platelet transfusion.
5.1.2. Different thresholds are used in neonatal patients – see separate BRHC Guideline –
Transfusion Guidelines for Neonates
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5.2. Contraindications to platelet transfusion – except in life-threatening bleeding:
5.3.1. Try and use the same ABO group as the patient. It is more important to give compatible
plasma than compatible platelets. Avoid group O platelets for A, B or AB recipients – if
unavoidable units should be confirmed as having a low titre of anti-A and anti-B.
5.4.1 Typical transfusion volume: 10-20ml/kg (maximum volume 1 pack i.e. 350ml)
5.4.2 Transfusion rate: 10-20ml/kg/hr – usually over 30 minutes (never quicker than over 30
minutes)
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6. GRANULOCYTE (WHITE CELL) TRANSFUSIONS
6.1. Indications for use:
6.1.1. Granulocyte transfusions may be considered as supportive therapy for patients with severe
neutropenia or in patients with neutrophil dysfunction.
•
Are neutropenic (except in Chronic Granulomatous Disease) and
•
Have evidence of bacterial or fungal infection and
•
Are unresponsive to antimicrobial treatment for 48 hours (or could be considered earlier
in life-threatening infection)
6.1.2. Should always be approved by haematology/oncology consultant
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7. HUMAN ALBUMIN SOLUTION (HAS)
7.1 4.5% Human Albumin Solution
7.1.1 Indications:
7.2 20% Human Albumin Solution (20% albumin solution contains 20g albumin in 100ml)
7.2.1 Indications:
8.2. Indications:
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8.2.2. Previous Intra Uterine Transfusion (IUT) for infants up to 6 months of age post-IUT
8.2.3. Exchange transfusions – essential if the donation comes from a first or second degree
relative or if there has been a previous Intra Uterine Transfusion (IUT). In other
circumstances, irradiation is recommended provided this does not delay the transfusion.
8.2.4. Top-up transfusions –if the donation is from a first or second degree relative
8.2.5. Therapy or disease induced immunodeficiency:
• Recipient of allogeneic bone marrow (BMT)/stem cell transplant (SCT)
• Recipient of autologous BMT/SCT
• Patients undergoing harvesting for BMT/SCT. During harvest and for 7 days before.
• Patients with Hodgkins Disease
• Patients treated with anti-thymocyte globulin
• Patients treated with the following drugs:
o Fludarabine
o Cheno-oxy-adenosine 2 (CdA)
o Deoxycoformycin
o Clofarabine
o Nelarabine
o Pentostatin
o Bendamustine
o Alemtuzumab
8.2.6. Blood components that always require irradiation:
• Directed donations from family members
• Granulocyte infusions
• HLA matched products i.e. red cells, platelets
8.3. Process:
9.1.1. Following universal leukodepletion, CMV negative products are now only recommended for
the following paediatric patient groups:
• Neonates < 28 days from their estimated delivery date
9.1.2. Granulocyte transfusions for CMV negative products outside the above indications will
require authorisation from the consultant with responsibility for blood bank
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REFERENCES • Guidelines on transfusion for fetuses, neonates and older children. New
et al. British Journal of Haematology, 2016, 175, 784-828
SAFETY N/A
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