Immediate transfusion incidents reported in children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective  To analyze the profile of immediate transfusion incidents reported in children and adolescents hospitalized in a high complexity general hospital.

Methods  This is a documentary and retrospective study that analyzed 287 notification records, reporting transfusion reactions in children and adolescents from zero to 18 years of age, occurred from January 2007 to May 2021, in a hemovigilance service of a high-complexity philanthropic university hospital in the city of São Paulo.

Results  Of the 287 records assessed, 42.5% of reactions were observed in adolescents (between 12 and 18 years), and 83.6% occurred in the first transfusion. Most common clinical manifestations were skin lesions and hyperthermia. About 50% of reactions occurred in patients with leukemia or anemia and the associated blood component was red blood cell concentrate. Most common incidents were nonhemolytic febrile reaction and mostly mild and moderate allergic reactions. Other reactions were 9.8% moderate/severe.

Conclusion  The study favored greater knowledge about transfusion incidents in children and adolescents and brings contributions to enhance patient safety and pediatric hemotherapy services.

Transfusion reaction; Blood transfusion; Patient safety; Child; Adolescent