AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD DONATION FOR ELECTIVE SURGERY IN CHILDREN WEIGHING 8-25-KG

To determine whether autologous blood donation can be used safely and efficiently in children weighing 8-25 kg, we studied children whose pe rioperative blood losses were expected to exceed 25% of total blood vo lume. Blood donations were performed in pediatric units, under the dir ection of an anesthesiologist and a blood bank physician experienced i n pediatric care. Twenty-four children, median age 6 years (1-13), wer e included. They underwent surgery mainly for digestive or urological disorders, and for orthopedic defects. Forty blood collections were pe rformed of the 46 prescribed. Phlebotomies could not be performed in 1 child because of the mother's apprehension, and in 5 cases because of venous access problems. All phlebotomies were hemodynamically well to lerated. Hemodilution was also performed in 17 children, and cell save r used in 2. Allogeneic blood transfusion was avoided in 21/24 childre n.