Blood Transfusion: Prevalence, Indications and Associated Factors in Children Presenting to a Tertiary Health Institution in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Blood is an essential component of paediatric care worldwide. Blood and blood products are scarce and expensive and may be associated with health hazards post-transfusion. This study aims at determining the prevalence, indications and associated factors of blood transfusion in children in an academic hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospectively review of all records of blood transfusions conducted at the Children's Emergency and Paediatrics wards of the State University Teaching Hospital, Southeast Nigeria; from 1 st January 2016 to 31 st December 2017. Results: The prevalence of blood transfusion was 7%. Total number of transfusions was 56. Male: female ratio was 0.8: 1. Median age of transfused children was 5 years (range 2 months to 12 years). Forty one (73.3%) of the transfused children were aged <3 years with 17 (30.4%) being less than 1 year. The most frequent indications for transfusion were severe malaria 36 (64.3%) and sepsis 12 (21.4%). Sedimented red blood cells, 50 (89.3%), was the most frequently transfused blood product while whole blood constituted 11.7%. Case fatality among the transfused children was 16%. Discussion: Blood transfusion rate of 7% is higher than most previous studies, with the most frequent indication being severe malaria. Sedimented red blood cells was the most frequently transfused blood product. Application of malaria control measures is still needed.