Frequency and predictors of red blood cell transfusion in the pediatric intensive care unit: a prospective observational study.

This study focuses on the frequency and predictors of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions among critically ill children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary hospital in Northern India. In this prospective observational study of 104 children, 35.6% received RBC transfusions, with a mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin level of 6.58 g/dl. Logistic regression identified that a hemoglobin level greater than 10 g/dl at admission was associated with significantly lower odds of transfusion, while sepsis at admission increased the likelihood of receiving RBC transfusions. The findings underscore the importance of careful assessment of hemoglobin levels and sepsis status in transfusion decisions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where resource constraints necessitate judicious use of blood products. Further research is recommended to validate these predictors and develop context-specific transfusion guidelines for pediatric critical care.