Incidence and risk factors predicting blood transfusion in caesarean section.
BACKGROUND
Routine preoperative evaluation for caesarean section (CS) has commonly included a blood type and screen evaluation due to risk of blood transfusion. However, there have been no objective local data to support such practices.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of blood type and screen testing for CS.


METHODS
This retrospective study reviewed all singleton CS at a tertiary hospital using data from Blood Bank Registry and Obstetric Database, from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2005. Clinical variables including demographic characteristics, estimated blood loss, indications for CS, preoperative haemoglobin and indications for transfusions were gathered. All patients who had blood transfusion recorded in Obstetric Database or in Blood Bank Registry had their medical records reviewed by two reviewers to confirm accuracy and identify risk factors for haemorrhage.


RESULTS
Of 2212 patients with singleton pregnancy who underwent CS, 14 (0.63%) required a blood transfusion. The risk of blood transfusion for elective and emergency CS are 3.9 per 1000 and 9.8 per 1000, respectively. In the absence of risk factors identified in this study, no women (of a total of 1293 elective CS) required blood transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of significant risk factors for haemorrhage at CS in a tertiary setting, routine blood type and screen testing does not enhance patient care. In the rare event that a patient without previously identifiable risk factors requires an urgent blood transfusion, O negative blood could be given in the interim pending formal determination of type and cross-match.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Corner Mons and Darcy Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. chuasc@optusnet.com.au
Seng Chai
SC
Chua
Steven J
SJ
Joung
Rihdab
R
Aziz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000191:economics*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult