RBC Transfusions Are Associated With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Pediatric ARDS

journals.lww.com February 23, 2019

RBC transfusion was independently associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Hemoglobin transfusion thresholds should be tested specifically within pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome to establish whether a more restrictive transfusion strategy would improve outcomes.

Of 357 pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome patients, 155 (43%) received RBC, 82 (23%) received fresh frozen plasma, and 92 (26%) received platelets.

Patients who received RBC, fresh frozen plasma, or platelets had higher severity of illness score, lower PaO2/FIO2, and were more often immunocompromised (all p < 0.05).