Eva Wittenmeier1, Claudius Troeber1, Ulrike Zier2, Irene Schmidtmann3, Nina Pirlich1, Karin Becke4, Tim Piepho5. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, Mainz, Germany. 2. Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Health, Mainz, Germany. 3. Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. 4. Cnopf Childrens Hospital/Hospital Hallerwiese, Nürnberg, Germany. 5. Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Trier, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brothers of Mercy Hospital, Trier, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the current practice of the perioperative transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) in pediatric patients. This study was performed to evaluate the practice of RBC transfusion in German pediatric anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted among members of the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. Participants were asked to indicate the hemoglobin (Hb) thresholds for starting RBC transfusion in six cases of different bleeding situations in pediatric anesthesia. Demographics of participants, general knowledge, and application of transfusion rules and guidelines were assessed. RESULTS: We included 1207 of 1396 returned questionnaires. Of the respondents, 89% were qualified specialists and 68% had experience in anesthesia in children aged less than 6 months. The lowest median Hb transfusion threshold was 6 g/dL in a 16-year-old and the highest was 10 g/dL in a premature neonate. Intraoperative Hb thresholds increased for clinically unstable (median difference to clinically stable children, +1 g/dL; p < 0.001) or neonate and premature children (median difference to older children, +1 and +2 g/dL; p < 0.001). The stated Hb threshold ranges were broad, especially in neonates or premature children (interquartile range, neonates 3, premature children 4 g/dL). Of the participants, only 16% had knowledge of a guideline that includes blood transfusion in children. CONCLUSION: Striking variability exists in practice of perioperative pediatric RBC transfusion. A specialized guideline for perioperative blood transfusion in children could be helpful to define and promote optimal pediatric RBC transfusion strategies.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the current practice of the perioperative transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) in pediatric patients. This study was performed to evaluate the practice of RBC transfusion in German pediatric anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted among members of the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. Participants were asked to indicate the hemoglobin (Hb) thresholds for starting RBC transfusion in six cases of different bleeding situations in pediatric anesthesia. Demographics of participants, general knowledge, and application of transfusion rules and guidelines were assessed. RESULTS: We included 1207 of 1396 returned questionnaires. Of the respondents, 89% were qualified specialists and 68% had experience in anesthesia in children aged less than 6 months. The lowest median Hb transfusion threshold was 6 g/dL in a 16-year-old and the highest was 10 g/dL in a premature neonate. Intraoperative Hb thresholds increased for clinically unstable (median difference to clinically stable children, +1 g/dL; p < 0.001) or neonate and premature children (median difference to older children, +1 and +2 g/dL; p < 0.001). The stated Hb threshold ranges were broad, especially in neonates or premature children (interquartile range, neonates 3, premature children 4 g/dL). Of the participants, only 16% had knowledge of a guideline that includes blood transfusion in children. CONCLUSION: Striking variability exists in practice of perioperative pediatric RBC transfusion. A specialized guideline for perioperative blood transfusion in children could be helpful to define and promote optimal pediatric RBC transfusion strategies.
Authors: Alexander Fuchs; Nicola Disma; Katalin Virág; Francis Ulmer; Walid Habre; Jurgen C de Graaff; Thomas Riva Journal: Eur J Anaesthesiol Date: 2022-03-01 Impact factor: 4.330