title: Autologous blood transfusions in children and young adults with low body weight undergoing spinal surgery.
abstract: The perioperative course of 118 patients weighing less than 45.5 kg (100.1 pounds) who participated in a predeposited autologous blood program from 1979-1984 is reviewed. Average age was 13 years 11 months (range 6 years 4 months to 20 years 4 months) and the average weight, 41 kg (range 30-45.4 kg). All underwent spinal surgery, 96% for scoliosis. The program involved preoperative donation of blood that was stored and subsequently retransfused to replace operative blood losses. Patients donated an average of 811 ml (range 208-1,320 ml) blood. Operation and hospitalization were completed by 63% without receiving any homologous blood, and the need for donor blood was reduced in the remaining 37%. Preoperative blood donation and retransfusion led to no significant complications. We describe an autologous blood transfusion program and show that autotransfusion is a safe and preferred method of blood replacement for children and young adults with low body weight undergoing elective surgery.
authors: Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, DE 19899.
authors: G D
authors: GD
authors: MacEwen
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bennett
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: Guille
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001815:Bloodletting; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; C020748:ferrous sulfate