Phase II Trial of Transfusion Volumes in Children With Acute Severe Anaemia

Severe anemia (SA, hemoglobin <6 g/dl) is a leading cause of pediatric hospital admission in Africa, with significant in-hospital mortality. The underlying etiology is often infectious, but specific pathogens are rarely identified. Guidelines developed to encourage rational blood use recommend a standard volume of whole blood (20 ml/kg) for transfusion, but this is commonly associated with a frequent need for repeat transfusion and poor outcome. Evidence is lacking on what haemoglobin threshold criteria for intervention and volume are associated with the optimal survival outcomes.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a higher volume of whole blood (30 ml/kg; Tx30: n = 78) against the standard volume (20 ml/kg; Tx20: n = 82) in Ugandan children (median age 35.5 months (interquartile range (IQR) 12.5 to 52.5)) for 24-hour anemia correction (hemoglobin >6 g/dl: primary outcome) and 28-day survival.