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BackgroundThe Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-IV-Pediatric (REDS-IV-P) Epidemiology, Surveillance and Preparedness of the Novel SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic (RESPONSE) seroprevalence study conducted monthly cross-sectional testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in blood donors in 6 US metropolitan regions to estimate the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infections over time.MethodsDuring March-August 2020, approximately ≥1000 serum specimens were collected monthly from each region and tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a well-validated algorithm. Regional seroprevalence estimates were weighted based on demographic differences compared with the general population. Seroprevalence was compared with reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case rates over time.ResultsFor all regions, seroprevalence was

ObjectiveTo estimate the incidence of blood product transfusion, including red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, and characterize pretransfusion hematologic values for infants during their initial hospitalization after birth.Study designRetrospective cohort study using data from 7 geographically diverse US academic and community hospitals that participated in the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-III (REDS-III) from 2013 to 2016. Pretransfusion hematologic values were evaluated closest to each transfusion and no more than 24 hours beforehand.ResultsData from 60 243 infants were evaluated. The incidence of any transfusion differed by gestational age (P 45 for all gestational age groups examined. The median pretransfusion international normalized ratio for the entire cohort was 1.7 (10th-90th percentile 1.2-2.8).ConclusionsThere is wide variability in pretransfusion hemoglobin, platelet count, and international normalized ratio values for neonatal transfusions. Our findings suggest that a large proportion of neonatal transfusions in the US are administered at thresholds greater than supported by the best-available evidence and highlight an opportunity for improved patient blood management.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Many hospitals require transfusions to be discontinued when vital signs stray from predetermined ranges, regardless of clinical symptoms. Variations in vital signs may be unrelated to transfusion, however, and needlessly stopping a transfusion may delay medical care while increasing donor exposures and healthcare costs. We hypothesized that a detailed study of vital sign changes associated with transfusion of blood product by component, including those associated with potential reactions (complicated) and those deemed to be uncomplicated, would establish a useful framework of reference for treating clinicians and transfusion services alike. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A retrospective electronic record review of transfusion service and transfusion recipient data was completed on 3852 inpatient transfusion episodes over a 6-month period at four academic tertiary care hospitals across the United States. Vital signs pre- and post-transfusion were recorded by trained clinical research nurses. Serious reactions were adjudicated by a panel of transfusion medicine experts. RESULTS:In both uncomplicated transfusions (n = 3765) and those including an adverse reaction (n = 87), vital sign fluctuations were generally modest. Compared to uncomplicated transfusions, transfusions complicated by febrile reactions were associated with higher pretransfusion temperature and higher pretransfusion pulse rates. Episodes of transfusion circulatory overload were associated with higher pretransfusion respiration rates compared to uncomplicated transfusions. CONCLUSION:Most transfusions are associated with only modest changes in vital signs. Pretransfusion vital signs may be an important yet previously understudied predictor of vital sign changes during transfusion. The optimal role of vital sign assessment during blood transfusion deserves further study.

Background: Splitting apheresis platelet (PLT) units increase available inventory during shortages. The impact of prolonged storage in gas-impermeable aliquot bags on PLT quality in vitro and transfusion outcomes in patients remains uncertain., Study Design and Methods: We assessed in vitro PLT quality and thromboelastography (TEG) in PLTs stored for 8 or 24 h in aliquot bags compared with baseline (T0). Retrospective assessment of response (PLT increment and corrected count increment (CCI)) was conducted among adults (≥18 years) transfused with split platelet units from January 2021 to June 2022., Results: No differences were observed in PLT and white blood cell (WBC) counts, mean platelet volume, or TEG parameters during storage, except for an increase in TEG R time (mean ± SD) at 24 h (6.1 ± 0.5 min) compared to T0 (4.4 ± 0.8 min), p = 0.0031 one-way ANOVA. Eighty-one patients were transfused 119 split units with a median [IQR] PLT yield of 2.1 × 10 11 [1.9 × 10 11 to 2.3 × 10 11 ] and storage duration of 1.6[0.7-9.1] h. The overall median PLT count increment was 6.0 × 10 3 /uL and CCI was 5.0 × 10 3 , correlating negatively with split unit storage duration (Spearman rho = -0.218, p = 0.017). Compared with split transfusions of pathogen-reduced (PR) PLTs, non-PR splits were associated with higher median platelet count increments (7.0 × 10 3 /μL vs. 4.0 × 10 3 /μL, p = 0.0263 Mann-Whitney U) and higher CCIs (6.5 × 10 3 vs. 3.9 × 10 3 , p = 0.0116 Mann-Whitney U) despite no differences in PLT yields (2.1 × 10 11 /μL vs. 2.1 × 10 11 /μL)., Discussion: Storing PLTs in aliquot bags for 8 or 24 h does not adversely affect their quality in vitro. Splitting apheresis PLTs are feasible for adult transfusions during shortages. It may be advisable to prioritize non-PR PLTs for splitting given improved patient responses., (© 2024 AABB.)