Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about platelet transfusions in pediatric critical illness. We sought to describe the epidemiology, indications, and outcomes of platelet transfusions among critically ill children. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Multicenter (82 PICUs), international (16 countries) from September 2016 to April 2017. PATIENTS: Children ages 3 days to 16 years prescribed a platelet transfusion in the ICU during screening days. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Over 6 weeks, 16,934 patients were eligible, and 559 received at least one platelet transfusion (prevalence, 3.3%). The indications for transfusion included prophylaxis (67%), minor bleeding (21%), and major bleeding (12%). Thirty-four percent of prophylactic platelet transfusions were prescribed when the platelet count was greater than or equal to 50 × 10 cells/L. The median (interquartile range) change in platelet count post transfusion was 48 × 10 cells/L (17-82 × 10 cells/L) for major bleeding, 42 × 10 cells/L (16-80 × 10 cells/L) for prophylactic transfusions to meet a defined threshold, 38 × 10 cells/L (17-72 × 10 cells/L) for minor bleeding, and 25 × 10 cells/L (10-47 × 10 cells/L) for prophylaxis in patients at risk of bleeding from a device. Overall ICU mortality was 25% but varied from 18% to 35% based on indication for transfusion. Upon adjusted analysis, total administered platelet dose was independently associated with increased ICU mortality (odds ratio for each additional 1 mL/kg platelets transfused, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001-1.003; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of platelet transfusions are given as prophylaxis to nonbleeding children, and significant variation in platelet thresholds exists. Studies are needed to clarify appropriate indications, with focus on prophylactic transfusions.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/CCM.0000000000003192

Type

Journal article

Journal

Crit Care Med

Publication Date

08/2018

Volume

46

Pages

1309 - 1317

Keywords

Child, Child, Preschool, Critical Illness, Female, Hemorrhage, Hospital Mortality, Humans, Infant, Male, Platelet Count, Platelet Transfusion, Prospective Studies, Socioeconomic Factors