title: Retrospective Review of Platelet Transfusion Practices during 2013 Dengue Epidemic of Delhi, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dengue infection is a major public health problem. During explosive outbreaks, there is sudden surge in demands of platelet products. The present study was carried out in order to review platelet transfusion practices during the epidemic of dengue.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the clinical details including the platelet counts and haemorrhagic tendencies of dengue patients as well as the transfusion requirements of diagnosed dengue cases admitted at our centre.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,750 random donor platelet and 114 single donor platelet units were transfused to 531 patients. 23.2% platelet transfusions were found to be inappropriate Mean dosage of platelets transfused was 2 × 10(11) platelets per patient. A total of 347 (65.3%) patients had bleeding diathesis at the time of presentation. Skin and the oropharynx were the most common bleeding sites. Major bleeding was seen in 119 (34.3%) patients, whereas 228 (65.7%) patients had minor bleeding episodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study emphasises the need for minimising unnecessary transfusions and for using this scarce resource judiciously, which can be achieved by strict adherence to evidence-based transfusion guidelines and regular review of the on-going transfusion practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaurasia
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shamsuz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaman
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Kabita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Bankim
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Das
keywords: Dengue infection; Platelet transfusion; Rational use