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The antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid (TXA) improves survival in adults with traumatic hemorrhage; however, the drug has not been evaluated in a trial in injured children. We evaluated the feasibility of a large-scale trial evaluating the effects of TXA in children with severe hemorrhagic injuries.Severely injured children (0 up to 18A total of 31 patients were randomized with a mean age of 10.7 years (standard deviation [SD] 5.0 years) and 22 (71%) patients were male. The mean time from injury to randomization was 2.4 hours (SD 0.6 hours). Sixteen (52%) patients had isolated brain injuries and 15 (48%) patients had isolated torso injuries. The enrollment rate using EFIC was 1.34 patients per site per month. All eligible enrolled patients received study intervention (9 patients TXA 15 mg/kg bolus dose, 10 patients TXA 30 mg/kg bolus dose, and 12 patients placebo) and had the primary outcome measured. No statistically significant differences in any of the clinical outcomes were identified.Based on enrollment rate, protocol adherence, and measurement of the primary outcome in this pilot trial, we confirmed the feasibility of conducting a large-scale, randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of TXA in severely injured children with hemorrhagic brain and/or torso injuries using EFIC.

Key Points Availability of pretransfusion HbS% values before red cell exchange facilitates calculation of precise donor unit numbers required. Raising the red cell exchange end hematocrit can reduce red cell units required as a short-term measure to conserve blood in a shortage., The COVID-19 pandemic has created major disruptions in health care delivery, including a severe blood shortage. The inventory of Rh and K antigen–negative red cell units recommended for patients with hemoglobinopathies became alarmingly low and continues to be strained. Because patients with sickle cell disease requiring chronic red cell exchange (RCE) incur a large demand for red cell units, we hypothesized that implementation of 2 measures could reduce blood use. First, obtaining the pretransfusion hemoglobin S (HbS) results by procedure start time would facilitate calculation of exact red cell volume needed to achieve the desired post-RCE HbS. Second, as a short-term conservation method, we identified patients for whom increasing the targeted end procedure hematocrit up to 5 percentage points higher than the pretransfusion level (no higher than 36%) was not medically contraindicated. The goal was to enhance suppression of endogenous erythropoiesis and thereby reduce the red cell unit number needed to maintain the same target HbS%. These 2 measures resulted in an 18% reduction of red cell units transfused to 50 patients undergoing chronic RCE during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite reduction of blood use, pretransfusion HbS% target goals were maintained and net iron accumulation was low. Both strategies can help alleviate a shortage of Rh and K antigen–negative red cells, and, more generally, transfusing red cell units based on precise red cell volume required can optimize patient care and judicious use of blood resources., Visual Abstract

Blood banks need to understand patterns of use and ordering practices to provide the blood donor centers with the best information with which to develop daily scheduled deliveries of blood products. Blood use is a large component of this process through maximizing physician education about appropriate ordering practices and use of appropriate tools. Simple measures can help provide guidance on the number of available components and the need to order more from the blood donor center. Special product requests in pediatrics, such as fresh blood, leukoreduction, irradiation, and antigen-negative units can also drive inventory practices and use patterns.

Background The AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) regulations call on blood banks to address the risk of misidentification of a patient's blood type, which can result in transfusion of a mismatched product. Transfusion of mismatched blood product is potentially fatal due to acute hemolytic transfusion reaction and is considered a preventable event. CAP regulations outline options to reduce risk of mistransfusion by either documenting the ABO group of the intended recipient on a second sample collected at a separate phlebotomy, or utilizing a mechanical barrier system or electronic identification verification system that ensures the patient from whom the pretransfusion specimen was collected is the same patient who is about to be transfused. Study design and methods An electronic or barrier system was not available for implementation at our institution, therefore we developed a protocol for a two-sample verification system. The first determination is performed on a current sample and the second by one of the following methods: (a) comparison with previous laboratory records, (b) testing a second sample collected at a time different from the first sample (i.e., laboratory specimen available with a different timestamp, or a new blood sample). Results We improved our transfusion process and implemented a policy to require a second sample to confirm a patient's blood type. We also implemented workflows to obtain blood type confirmation from history of a second blood type result from previous laboratory records, including a policy to accept previous blood type records from an outside laboratory. Conclusions We describe a practice change for two-sample verification for type and screen in a large-scale pediatric hospital. We outline specific workflows for pre-operative and emergency transfusion scenarios, and pediatric-specific challenges.

BACKGROUND Desensitization, the process of reducing anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in sensitized patients awaiting heart transplantation (HT), has unclear efficacy in pediatric HT candidates. METHODS Pediatric HT candidates listed at our institution between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Sensitization was defined as the calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) ≥ 10% with ≥ 1 a strong positive antibody. The desensitization response was defined as a ≥ 25% reduction in the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) for ≥ 90% of the strong positive antibodies on follow-up panel reactive antibody (PRA) testing before waitlist removal, HT, or death (data available for 13 patients). RESULTS The HT candidates were categorized as sensitized receiving desensitization therapy (ST, n = 14), sensitized not receiving therapy (SNT, n = 18), or non-sensitized (n = 55). A desensitization response was observed in 8 (62%) of the ST upon repeat PRA testing, with the ST responders receiving more doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (8 vs 2, p < 0.05). The anti-HLA class I antibodies were particularly resistant for non-responders (p = 1.9 × 10-4). The combination of homograft and ventricular assist device was more sensitizing than either alone (p = 3.1 × 10-4). However, these sensitization risk factors did not impact the desensitization response. The ST was associated with a higher likelihood of remaining listed and a longer waitlist time without substantially impacting the HT rate, waitlist mortality, or early post-HT outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Most ST patients had a favorable response to desensitization, with a dose-dependent response observed for IVIG. The anti-HLA class likely impacts the ST response, whereas traditional sensitization risk factors had no impact on the response.

BACKGROUND: Initial reports from the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV-2) pandemic described children as being less susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than adults. Subsequently, a severe and novel pediatric disorder termed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) emerged. We report on unique hematologic and immunologic parameters that distinguish between COVID-19 and MIS-C and provide insight into pathophysiology. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled hospitalized patients with evidence of SARS–CoV-2 infection and classified them as having MIS-C or COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 were classified as having either minimal or severe disease. Cytokine profiles, viral cycle thresholds (Cts), blood smears, and soluble C5b-9 values were analyzed with clinical data. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled (9 severe COVID-19, 5 minimal COVID-19, and 6 MIS-C). Five cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) contributed to the analysis. TNF-α and IL-10 discriminated between patients with MIS-C and severe COVID-19. The presence of burr cells on blood smears, as well as Cts, differentiated between patients with severe COVID-19 and those with MIS-C. CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients with SARS–CoV-2 are at risk for critical illness with severe COVID-19 and MIS-C. Cytokine profiling and examination of peripheral blood smears may distinguish between patients with MIS-C and those with severe COVID-19. FUNDING: Financial support for this project was provided by CHOP Frontiers Program Immune Dysregulation Team; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Cancer Institute; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Cookies for Kids Cancer; Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer; Children’s Oncology Group; Stand UP 2 Cancer; Team Connor; the Kate Amato Foundations; Burroughs Wellcome Fund CAMS; the Clinical Immunology Society; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics.

Background Pediatric complex cranial vault reconstruction (CCVR) surgery is often associated with significant blood loss and transfusion. The authors recently changed our transfusion practice during CCVR to using whole blood (WB) instead of reconstituted blood (RB). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of this practice change. Our hypothesis was that replacement with WB would be as effective as RB for the outcomes of total perioperative blood donor exposures (BDEs) and the incidence of laboratory evidence of postoperative coagulopathy. Methods The authors queried the Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery Perioperative Registry for children ages ≤48 months from our institution who underwent CCVR and received either RB or WB. The primary outcomes of total perioperative BDEs and the incidence of laboratory evidence of postoperative coagulopathy were compared between the 2 cohorts. Results The query returned 59 subjects in the RB cohort and 52 subjects in the WB cohort. There were no significant differences in demographic variables between the 2 groups. Patients in the WB cohort were more likely to have ≤1 BDEs when compared to the RB cohort (62% versus 39%, respectively, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative coagulation laboratory test abnormalities between the WB and RB cohorts (0% versus 3.4%, respectively, P = 0.50). Conclusion There was no postoperative coagulopathy in the WB cohort. Whole blood was also associated with significantly fewer perioperative BDEs. Whole blood appears to be as effective as RB for replacement of blood loss in craniofacial surgery.

BACKGROUND: Complex cranial vault reconstruction (CCVR) often requires a large-volume transfusion of blood products. We implemented a series of improvement interventions to reduce blood donor exposures (BDE) and transfusion requirements in CCVR. METHODS: We implemented interventions over 4 epochs: (E1) reconstituted blood (1:1 ratio of donor-matched red blood cells and fresh-frozen plasma) for intraoperative transfusions, (E2) reconstituted blood plus postoperative transfusion guidelines, (E3) reconstituted blood plus intraoperative antifibrinolytics and postoperative guidelines, and (E4) fresh whole blood for intraoperative transfusion, antifibrinolytics, and postoperative guidelines. Primary outcomes, BDE, and total volume of blood products transfused are presented by using statistical process control charts, with statistical comparisons between each epoch and baseline data. RESULTS: We included 347 patients CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of sequential clinical improvement strategies resulted in a sustained reduction in BDE whereas only the use of whole blood resulted in a significant reduction in the total volume of blood products transfused in children undergoing CCVR.

Background Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare, but important condition requiring specialized laboratory testing for diagnosis. We report a case of DIIHA with antibodies against carboplatin and vincristine (VCR) in a child with an optic pathway glioma. Platinum-based drugs are established to cause DIIHA; to our knowledge, this is the first report implicating VCR. Study Design and Methods A 35-month-old girl with an optic pathway glioma developed hemolytic anemia while receiving carboplatin and VCR. Specialized blood bank testing was performed to determine the presence of drug-dependent antibodies and thus DIIHA. Results Initial direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative. A repeat DAT 3 days later was positive, 3+ with polyspecific-antiglobulin sera, weak+ with anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and 2+ with anti-C3d. An eluate from the DAT-positive red blood cells (RBCs) was nonreactive. The patient's serum reacted without specificity to all RBC tested using papain-IgG-antiglobulin test (AGT) and polyethylene glycol-IgG-AGT. No alloantibodies to common RBC antigens were detected. When the serum was evaluated for the presence of drug-specific antibody, reactivity was shown with VCR and carboplatin using the drug addition solution method, but only with carboplatin using the drug-coating method. Conclusion The patient developed hemolytic anemia during chemotherapy. Initial detection of a panagglutinin suggested a warm-type autoimmune process. However, since DIIHA could not be excluded, chemotherapy was discontinued and further work-up was initiated. The findings confirmed the presence of antibodies to carboplatin and VCR. This case highlights the importance for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for DIIHA in patients with unexplained hemolysis and the importance of specialized serologic testing.

Purpose The efficacy of desensitization, the process of reducing anti-HLA antibodies in sensitized patients awaiting heart transplantation (HT), is unclear in pediatric HT candidates. Methods To evaluate the impact of DS in pediatric HT candidates, we performed a retrospective analysis of all patients listed for HT between 1/1/10 - 6/30/18 at our institution. Sensitized patients were defined as having a panel reactive antibody (PRA) ≥ 10% and ≥1 strong positive antibody with mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) ≥ 5500. Patients were identified as nonsensitized (NS, n = 55), sensitized but no therapy (S-NT, n = 18), and sensitized undergoing desensitization therapy (S-DS, n = 14). Response to desensitization was defined as ≥25% reduction in the MFI for ≥90% of strong positive antibodies for whom follow up PRA testing was performed prior to delisting, HT, or death (n = 13). Results DS consisted of IVIG and rituximab for all patients; 2 also received bortezomib. DS responders, defined by reduction in antibody burden (n = 8), received on average more doses of IVIG than nonresponders (9 vs 3, p = 0.04). All five S-DS patients that received HT during the study period had a negative flow crossmatch (FXM) and most (80%) would have had a positive FXM with historical serum. All S-DS had history of single ventricle congenital heart disease and homograft exposure. Prior VAD was associated with sensitization severity (mean positive antibodies 75 vs 26, p = 0.01) but not response to DS, and history of ECMO was associated with neither. S-DS compared S-NT were on average more sensitized (mean number of high MFI antibodies 45 vs 21, p = 0.04), waited longer for HT (569 vs 148 days, p = 0.005), and trended towards higher waitlist mortality (36% vs 11%, p = 0.09). NS patients were less likely to have homograft exposure (p Conclusion A favorable response to DS was observed in most patients in this cohort. Homograft and VAD, but not ECMO, were associated with severity of sensitization. IVIG appears to have some benefit, with a dose-dependent effect. Post-HT outcomes for S-DS, S-NT, and NS patients were similar in this study.

The neonatal population is a heavily transfused group, particularly very-low-birth weight infants (

Background The hemostatic property of “fresh” whole blood (WB) has been observed in military application and cardiac surgery and is associated with reduced blood loss, transfusion requirements, and donor exposures. The time from donation to transfusion defining “fresh” has not been systematically studied. We undertook an in vitro study of coagulation properties of refrigerated WB stored for 31 days.

Context: Formal training in pediatric transfusion medicine is often centered on education of Clinical Pathology and Hematology/Oncology Fellows. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) accepts nine fellows annually into a Pediatric Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (PACCM) Fellowship Training Program. Training requirements include the appropriate ordering and utilization of blood products for pediatric patients, which many fellows have limited prior experience. Objective: To design, implement, and review a teaching curriculum for PACCM Fellows to introduce these physician trainees to the unique features of pediatric TM and hospital specific policies. Design: Starting in 2006, two fellows per session were assigned a full day in the blood bank. The schedule included "hands-on" learning and lectures. Each fellow received lecture handouts and TM literature. They were asked to submit a pre- and post-test, an evaluation form and give oral feedback. Additional lectures were given during morning conferences as part of their overall educational training during their fellowship. Results: Twenty-eight fellows have completed this rotation to date of this curriculum review period. Most fellows demonstrated knowledge of the definition of clinically significant antibodies and proper labeling of blood samples. Fewer fellows demonstrated knowledge of CHOP specific policies prior to the rotation. Twenty-three written evaluations with ratings of outstanding to good were received. As a result of the teaching curriculum, there is less miscommunication, fewer customer complaints and occurrence reports (safety net reports) documented involving TM and PACCM departments. There has also been a steady overall improvement in client satisfaction. Conclusion: We report the development of a pediatric TM curriculum designed for anesthesiology fellows. The curriculum will continue to evolve as additional feedback is received. We will continue to monitor the curriculum in terms of an improvement in pre and post testing results, overall physician satisfaction and safety net reports.

The AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) developed this guideline on appropriate use of platelet transfusion in adult patients.These guidelines are based on a systematic review of randomized, clinical trials and observational studies (1900 to September 2014) that reported clinical outcomes on patients receiving prophylactic or therapeutic platelet transfusions. An expert panel reviewed the data and developed recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.The AABB recommends that platelets should be transfused prophylactically to reduce the risk for spontaneous bleeding in hospitalized adult patients with therapy-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia. The AABB recommends transfusing hospitalized adult patients with a platelet count of 10 × 109 cells/L or less to reduce the risk for spontaneous bleeding. The AABB recommends transfusing up to a single apheresis unit or equivalent. Greater doses are not more effective, and lower doses equal to one half of a standard apheresis unit are equally effective. (Grade: strong recommendation; moderate-quality evidence).The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having elective central venous catheter placement with a platelet count less than 20 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; low-quality evidence).The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having elective diagnostic lumbar puncture with a platelet count less than 50 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having major elective nonneuraxial surgery with a platelet count less than 50 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).The AABB recommends against routine prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients who are nonthrombocytopenic and have cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The AABB suggests platelet transfusion for patients having bypass who exhibit perioperative bleeding with thrombocytopenia and/or evidence of platelet dysfunction. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).The AABB cannot recommend for or against platelet transfusion for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy who have intracranial hemorrhage (traumatic or spontaneous). (Grade: uncertain recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).

Pediatric patients undergoing cardiac operations are at high risk for blood loss and transfusion. A practice intended to reduce transfusion using a standard order of 2 units fresh whole blood (48 hours from donation) for elective cardiac operations in patients younger than 2 years of age was in place from 1995 to 2010. The objective of this study was to describe blood use in this population and to compare the results with those in published reports describing the use of blood components exclusively for transfusion.Retrospective data from a surgical registry and blood bank records for 15 consecutive years were analyzed. Transfusion requirements were identified as donor exposures for the day of operation and the next postoperative day. Transfusions were fresh whole blood, packed red blood cells, platelets, and cryoprecipitate. Donor exposures for subgroups according to procedure and age were compared with those in published reports.The cohort consisted of 4,111 patients with a median age of 94 days and a median weight of 4.4 kg. The median donor exposure was 2 (range, 0 to 28). Younger patients having complex procedures had the most donor exposures. Fewer donor exposures were incurred in all subgroups compared with reports of component use in the literature.The use of fresh whole blood for cardiac operations in children younger than 2 years old reduces donor exposures compared with published reports of component use.

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare, but important condition requiring specialized laboratory testing for diagnosis. We report a case of DIIHA with antibodies against carboplatin and vincristine (VCR) in a child with an optic pathway glioma. Platinum-based drugs are established to cause DIIHA; to our knowledge, this is the first report implicating VCR.A 35-month-old girl with an optic pathway glioma developed hemolytic anemia while receiving carboplatin and VCR. Specialized blood bank testing was performed to determine the presence of drug-dependent antibodies and thus DIIHA.Initial direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative. A repeat DAT 3 days later was positive, 3+ with polyspecific-antiglobulin sera, weak+ with anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and 2+ with anti-C3d. An eluate from the DAT-positive red blood cells (RBCs) was nonreactive. The patient's serum reacted without specificity to all RBC tested using papain-IgG-antiglobulin test (AGT) and polyethylene glycol-IgG-AGT. No alloantibodies to common RBC antigens were detected. When the serum was evaluated for the presence of drug-specific antibody, reactivity was shown with VCR and carboplatin using the drug addition solution method, but only with carboplatin using the drug-coating method.The patient developed hemolytic anemia during chemotherapy. Initial detection of a panagglutinin suggested a warm-type autoimmune process. However, since DIIHA could not be excluded, chemotherapy was discontinued and further work-up was initiated. The findings confirmed the presence of antibodies to carboplatin and VCR. This case highlights the importance for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for DIIHA in patients with unexplained hemolysis and the importance of specialized serologic testing.

To assess the effect of prophylactic administration of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) in the form of reconstituted blood in children undergoing craniofacial reconstruction. The outcomes of interest included immediate postoperative coagulation laboratory test results, postoperative surgical drain output, and the number of unique blood donor exposures incurred.We recently changed our intraoperative transfusion strategy in children undergoing craniofacial reconstruction surgery to one in which blood loss is replaced with donor-matched reconstituted blood rather than traditional blood component therapy.We performed a query of our prospective craniofacial surgery perioperative registry for children who underwent fronto-orbital advancement or posterior cranial vault reconstruction. Registry data from this query were compared to data from a historical cohort.Data for 46 registry cases were compared to 150 historical cohort cases. The median number of unique donor exposures for the reconstituted blood group was 2 vs 3 in the historical cohort (P=0.004). The reconstituted blood group had a decreased incidence of postoperative derangements in soluble clotting factor tests (fibrinogen, PT, or aPTT; 2% vs 24%, P=0.001), while there was no evidence for a difference in the incidence of thrombocytopenia. There was no evidence for differences in postoperative surgical drain output in the reconstituted blood group and historical cohort over the first 12, 24, and 48 h.Prophylactic administration of FFP in the form of donor-matched reconstituted blood in children undergoing craniofacial reconstruction was associated with improved postoperative coagulation parameters, reduced blood donor exposures, and unchanged postoperative surgical drain output.

Summary Background: Pediatric craniofacial reconstruction (CFR) procedures involve wide scalp dissections with multiple osteotomies and have been associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to document the incidence of clinically important problems, particularly related to blood loss, and perform a risk factor analysis. Methods: Records of all patients who underwent craniofacial surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between December 1, 2001 and January 1, 2006 were reviewed. Data were collected from the electronic anesthesia record, intensive care unit (ICU) progress notes, and discharge summary. All intraoperative laboratory values and all laboratory values obtained upon arrival in the ICU were recorded. A multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate associations between elements of intraoperative management and the following clinical outcomes: intraoperative hypotension, intraoperative metabolic acidosis, presence of a postoperative coagulation test abnormality, and postoperative administration of hemostatic blood products. Results: Data for 159 patients were reviewed. The mean volume of packed red blood cells transfused intraoperatively was 51 ml·kg−1. Multivariable analysis revealed that intraoperative administration of albumin was strongly correlated with both an increased incidence of postoperative coagulation derangements and postoperative administration of hemostatic blood products (Odds Ratio 5.9, 2.8, respectively), while intraoperative fresh frozen plasma (FFP) administration was associated with an opposite effect (Odds Ratio 0.94, 0.97, respectively). Conclusions: In pediatric CFR procedures where the volume of blood loss routinely exceeds one blood volume, intraoperative administration of FFP favorably impacted postoperative laboratory coagulation parameters.

A technological community framework can be used to explain and manage new medical technologies. It describes emergence, commercialization, and standardization of an innovation or technology within the context of its whole network (or community) of stakeholders. This framework is used to illustrate the emergence, commercialization, and standardization of a relatively new medical technology – umbilical cord blood (UCB) banking. Umbilical cord blood may prove to be a source of stem cells for bone marrow transplant that is safer, more accessible, and less expensive than current sources of stem cells. The technological community framework can signal potential problems as the technology emerges, and help healthcare delivery systems and providers to effectively assess and manage the technology. The framework can also be applied to other medical technologies and innovations.

Publisher Summary Allergic reactions to blood product transfusion encompass a broad range of clinical symptoms and severity. Allergic reactions include mild urticarial reactions, serious anaphylactoid reactions, and rare anaphylactic reactions. Mild allergic reactions mediated by IgE are among the most common adverse reactions to transfusion therapy. These mild transfusion reactions, thought to be caused by soluble proteins in donor plasma, may be associated with transfusion of any type of blood component. Anaphylactoid reactions resemble anaphylaxis but lack demonstrable IgE antibodies. Documented cases of acute anaphylaxis have occurred upon transfusion of blood products to IgA-deficient patients who have high titers of anti-IgA in their sera. Mild allergic reactions are best managed by discontinuation of the transfusion and administration of antihistamines. For mild reactions characterized by focal urticaria only, the transfusion usually can be restarted after 15 minutes, following treatment with antihistamines and alleviation of symptoms. It is found that patients with a history of mild allergic reactions usually benefit from premedication with an oral or intravenous antihistamine given 30–60 minutes prior to transfusion. Patients with repeated allergic reactions may benefit from premedication with methylprednisolone given several hours prior to transfusion.

Publisher Summary Acute and delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions result from immune-mediated destruction of transfused incompatible packed red blood cells (PRBCs). Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions—although relatively rare—can be devastating. The initial symptoms of fever and chills are seen with both acute and delayed hemolytic as well as in febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and transfusion of bacterially contaminated blood. Early evaluation of any suspected reaction is necessary to determine the cause and ensure appropriate management. Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions are generally less severe and associated primarily with extravascular hemolysis. The volume of incompatible donor red blood cells (RBCs) in circulation in the recipient often determines the severity of the reaction. Other factors such the potency of the anti-A or anti-B in the recipient's plasma also influence the outcome following an incompatible PRBC transfusion. In general, immediate hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) from transfusion of incompatible PRBCs are because of the binding of naturally occurring IgM antibody to donor RBCs. Therapy should focus on management of hypotension or shock, prevention or therapy of disseminated intravascular coagulation, and maintenance of renal perfusion. Infusion of normal saline may be sufficient to manage simple hypotension, but more severe hypotension will require vasopressor therapy. Dopamine, at an infusion rate of 1 gkg of body weight per hour, is the agent of choice because it produces selective vasodilatation to the kidneys. The primary prevention of acute HTRs requires elimination of clerical errors in the process of blood administration Therefore, identifying the specific step in which an error occurred may help prevent future errors and accidents.

The C1.7 Ag is a surface marker previously shown to be expressed on all NK cells and on a subset of CD8+ T cells. We report in this study that C1.7 Ag expression on peripheral blood-derived CD8+ T cells overlaps with activation markers S6F1high and CD29high and is reciprocally expressed with CD62L. C1.7 Ag expression can be induced in vitro on CD8+ T cells by anti-CD3 cross-linking, suggesting that C1.7 Ag is activation dependent. In contrast to NK cells, C1.7 Ag does not signal on CD8+ T cells, nor does it induce redirected lysis upon ligation. The proportion of C1.7 Ag+CD8+ T cells is increased in HIV-infected patients compared with healthy donors. In 69 HIV-infected patients, we observed a significant inverse correlation between the percentage of C1.7 Ag-expressing CD8+ T cells and the absolute CD4+ T cell count. Two-year clinical follow-up of patients with initial CD4+ T cell count of >400 cells/mm3 and a normal proportion of C1.7 Ag+CD8+ T cells revealed that these patients were clinically stable with minimal HIV-associated symptoms. In contrast, 10 of 12 patients with CD4+ T cell counts of >400 cells/mm3 and an elevated proportion of C1.7 Ag+CD8+ T cells were symptomatic. ANOVA analysis of patients indicates that C1.7 Ag is a better predictor of disease progression than CD4 count. Overall, our findings indicate that C1.7 Ag is the first described marker for activated/memory CD8+ T cells and a useful parameter for evaluating the level of CD8+ T cell activation in vivo.

Introduction Transfusions of packed red blood cell (pRBC) units to infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) may predispose neonates to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We compared neonatal pRBC transfusion practices at four NICUs (Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, Komansky Children’s Hospital of Weill Cornell Medical Center, Christiana Care Health System, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia). In addition, because prolonged refrigerator storage of pRBC may further predispose to HAIs, we tested the hypothesis that an increased mean RBC storage age was associated with a greater risk of infections. Design The interdisciplinary NICU Antimicrobial Prescribing (iNAP) study was conducted in four Level III NICUs from May 2009 to April 2012 to assess HAIs and improve antimicrobial prescribing in NICUs. Eligible infants were admitted Results All sites used irradiated, leukoreduced, CMV negative pRBCs and practiced donor limitation. Blood bank preparation procedures were similar at all sites except that one site stored 3% of units in CPDA-1 in addition to units stored in Additive Solutions (AS), and another site irradiated the parent unit instead of the aliquot; the other sites irradiated the aliquot prior to release. During the study period, 6411 pRBC transfusions were administered to 1381 (21.5%) of 6184 enrolled infants. The transfusion rate was 12.6%, 37.3%, 16.7%, and 25.1% at sites 1-4, respectively. The rate of transfusion by normal BW (≥2500g), low BW (1500-2499g), very LBW ( Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort study of neonatal transfusion practices in Level III NICUs. Transfusion practices were similar at each site. The average storage age of transfused pRBC units varied among the four sites; however, the mean RBC storage age of RBCs transfused to patients with or without HAIs was not markedly different and hospitals with a longer mean storage age did not have a higher proportion of neonates with HAIs. Further analysis is needed to explore the relationship between pRBC storage and HAIs, while controlling for differences in patient characteristics. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.