PREDEPOSITED AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD-TRANSFUSION FOR SURGERY IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Homologous blood transfusions have associated infectious and immunolog ical risks. Since 1989 the authors have conducted predeposited autolog ous blood transfusions (PABT) for infants and children in whom transfu sions were expected to be required during an elective operation. Autol ogous blood was deposited in 13 patients ranging in age from 9 months to 10 years (median, 21 months) with weight from 7.3 kg to 33.6 kg (me dian, 10.5 kg). They included eight patients with Hirschsprung's disea se, three patients with benign tumors, and two others. The volume of p redeposition was calculated to maintain the patients' hematocrit at 30 % after collection, Blood was deposited once or twice, 1 to 2 weeks be fore the operation. The actual volume of predeposited blood was 19.1 /- 2.4 mL/kg in infants with Hirschsprung's disease, 21.8 +/- 10.0 mL/ kg in children with Hirschsprung's disease, and 12.6 +/- 2.2 mL/kg in children with other diseases. Nine patients were operated on using onl y PART, 2 patients required homologous blood transfusions in addition to PABT, and 2 patients did not require any blood transfusions. No com plications occurred as a result of PABT except preoperative anemia. PA BT is a safe and effective means of procuring blood for intraoperative transfusions in infants and children undergoing major elective genera l pediatric surgical procedures. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders C ompany