title: Variation in Transfusion Requirements Among Children With Thalassemia on Regular Transfusion Programs: Which Formula Closely Predicts the Actual Requirements?
abstract: Various different formulae are used to calculate blood transfusion volumes in thalassemia. Using the right formula will avoid iron overload and complications of undertransfusion.
  
  
  
  Five years of transfusion data in 11 children with thalassemia showed that no single formula-calculated transfusion volumes accurately. The formula used in the United Kingdom with a hematocrit of the transfused blood of 0.6: (0.4×body weight×desired raise in hemoglobin [g/L]) yielded a volume closest to empirically determined requirements on average. Transfusion factors ranging from 0.3 to 0.48 were calculated as necessary to achieve the required volume for the individual patient.
  
  
  
  To meet transfusion requirements, individualization of formulas by establishment of the transfusion factor for each patient is helpful.
authors.affiliation: *Paediatric Department, Luton & Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lewsey Road, Luton, UK †People Tree Hospitals, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cornell
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eisenhut
authors.forename: Stalin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramprakash
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000628:therapy*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins