[Red blood cell transfusion in children admitted in a pediatric intensive care unit].

Background and Objectives: Indications of red blood cell transfusion in critically ill children are not very well determined. This study aims to describe red blood cells transfusion practice at the PICU of UNESP-Botucatu Medical School.
Methods: Retrospective observational study of all patients who received transfusion during 2003.
Results: Seventy five patients received transfusion and 105 indications were recorded. 53.3% of the patients were less than one year of age. Increased respiratory rate (75.2%), paleness (65.7%), and hypotension (51.4%) were the alterations more frequently recorded, before transfusion. Also, metabolic acidosis (68.08%) e and hipoxemia (63.8%) were very frequently observed. From 93 hemoglobin (Hb) values recorded, 54 (58.1%) varied from 7 to 10 g/dL and from 90 records of hematocrit (Ht) 66 (73.3%) varied from 21% to 30%. The main indications of the transfusion were anemia, in 75 children (71.4%), and active bleeding in 26 (24.7%). The mean value of Hb before transfusion was 7.82 ± 2.82 g/dL. Seven transfusions were indicated for patients with Hb levels higher than 10 g/dL (postoperative heart surgery and septic patients).
Conclusions: red blood cells transfusion is carefully prescribed at the PICU by using restrictive indications (Hb between 7 and 10 g/dL). Not always is possible to find out records of the Hb levels immediately before transfusion. Hence, a protocol to better prescribe red blood cell transfusion at the PICU was adopted.