Among critically ill pediatric patients, the use of fresh red blood cells did not reduce the incidence of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (including mortality) compared with standard-issue red blood cells.

Among 1,538 patients who were randomized, 1461 patients (95%) were included in the primary analysis, in which there were 728 patients randomized to the fresh red blood cell group and 733 to the standard-issue group.

The median storage duration was 5 days in the fresh group vs 18 days in the standard-issue group.

The primary outcome measure was new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, measured for 28 days or to discharge or death.

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