Massive Blood Transfusion

Pediatricians in the hospital setting must frequently treat children who require massive transfusion (MT) in a variety of clinical situations ranging from major trauma to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. After identifying the need for massive transfusion, the pediatrician must select the appropriate blood components. Different blood components have specific temperature, preservative, and time requirements for their storage. Changes, termed storage lesions, occur over time in blood components during storage; biochemical changes include decreased levels of 2,3-DPG, a decrease in pH, and an increase in supernatant potassium (K+) with a concurrent decrease in intracellular K+. These changes may affect the function and the viability of components. Additionally, physical changes such as deformation of the red cell membrane occur during storage. Knowledge of these storage lesions is necessary for the pediatrician to make the most appropriate decisions regarding the preparation and selection of components during MT. Serious complications of MT include hemostatic abnormalities, biochemical/metabolic abnormalities, hypothermia, mechanical injury and the effect of Rh incompatibility, each of which has a specific management response. Pediatricians need to be aware of the potential complications associated with massive transfusion, to take measures to prevent them when possible, to anticipate additional transfusion requirements, and to know how to manage them in the pediatric patient.