title: Clinical Outcomes Associated With RBC Transfusions in Critically Ill Children: A 1-Year Prospective Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the potential complications associated with RBC transfusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  PICU in a tertiary children's hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  All children consecutively admitted to our PICU during a 1-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were abstracted from medical charts prospectively. Outcomes possibly attributable to RBC transfusions were looked for daily. In transfused cases, it was considered that an outcome was associated with a transfusion only if it was observed after the first RBC transfusion. During the 1-year study period, 913 consecutive admissions were documented, 842 of which were included. Among them, 144 (17%) were transfused at least once. When comparing transfused cases with nontransfused cases, the odds ratio for new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was 5.14 (95% CI, 3.28-8.06; p < 0.001). This association remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 3.85; 95% CI, 2.38-6.24; p < 0.001). Transfused cases were ventilated longer than nontransfused cases (14.1 ± 32.6 vs 4.3 ± 9.6 d, p < 0.001), even after adjustment in a Cox model. The PICU length of stay was significantly increased for transfused cases (12.4 ± 26.2 vs 4.9 ± 10.2 d, p < 0.001), even after controlling for potential confounders. The paired analysis for comparison of pretransfusion and posttransfusion values showed that the arterial partial pressure in oxygen was significantly reduced within the 6 hours after the first RBC transfusion (mean difference, 25.6 torr, 95% CI, 5.7-45.4; p = 0.029). The paired analysis also showed an increased proportion of renal replacement therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RBC transfusions in critically ill children were associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and prolonged PICU stay. The risk of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was also increased in some transfused children. Furthermore, our study questions the ability of stored RBCs to improve oxygenation in critically ill children. Practitioners should take into account these data when prescribing an RBC transfusion to PICU patients.
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, CHC, Liège, Belgium. 2Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. 3Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. 4Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. 5Department of Pediatrics, Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demaret
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Trottier
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ducruet
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lacroix
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen