Research in the pediatric trauma patient has finally shown that crystalloid volume should be limited and blood products should be used early in resuscitation. Whole blood transfusion is currently being studied. Studies are also being conducted looking at the proper ratio of blood products for these pediatric trauma patients.
This was a retrospective review of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program. Patients younger than 18 years old who received at least 1 unit of FFP and PRBCsduring the initial 4 hours of admission were included. The study looked at 1,233 patients who received FFP:PRBC ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:3+ and 24 hour mortality, hospital mortality, complications and 24 hour PRBC requirements.
The 1:1 transfusion group had the lowest 24 mortality and in-hospital mortality. There was no difference between the groups for complications. The 1:1 ratio group also had the lowest 24 hour PRBC requirements. This study did not include those patients who required massive transfusion on arrival.
Bottom line: FFP:PRBC ratio of 1:1 was associated with increased survival in children. More studies are needed regarding whole blood and massive transfusion in pediatrics.
References
Akl M, Anand T, Reina R et al. Balanced hemostatic resuscitation for bleeding pediatric trauma patients: A nationwide quantitative analysis of outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2022. epub ahead of print.
