An analysis of a preoperative pediatric autologous blood donation program.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a pediatric autologous blood donation program.


METHODS
A retrospective study of patient charts and blood-bank records.


METHODS
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, a tertiary care, pediatric centre.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-three children who received blood transfusions for a total of 182 procedures between June 1987 and June 1997.


METHODS
Autologous and homologous blood transfusion required for major surgical intervention, primarily spinal fusion.


METHODS
Surgeons' accuracy in predicting the number of autologous blood units required for a given procedure, compliance rate (children's ability to donate the requested volume of blood), utilization rate of autologous units and rate of allogeneic transfusion.


RESULTS
The surgeons' accuracy in predicting the number of autologous units required for a given procedure was 53.8%. The compliance rate of children to donate the requested amount of blood was 80.3%. In children below the standard age and weight criteria for blood donation the compliance rate was 75.5%. The utilization rate of autologous units obtained was 84.4% and the incidence of allogeneic transfusion was 26.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a high rate of compliance and utilization of predonated autologous blood in the children in the study. Preoperative blood donation programs are safe and effective in children, even in those below the standard age and weight criteria of 10 years and 40 kg.
Letts
M
M
Division of Orthopedics, University of Ottawa, Ont.
Perng
R
R
Luke
B
B
Jarvis
J
J
Lawton
L
L
Hoey
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies