The age of blood in pediatric intensive care units (ABC PICU): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The "Age of Blood in Children in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit" (ABC PICU) study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that aims to determine if red blood cell (RBC) unit storage age affects outcomes in critically ill children. While RBCs can be stored for up to 42 days in additive solutions, their efficacy and safety after long-term storage have been challenged. Preclinical and clinical observational evidence suggests loss of efficacy and lack of safety of older RBC units, especially in more vulnerable populations such as critically ill children. Because there is a belief that shorter storage will improve outcomes, some physicians and institutions systematically transfuse fresh RBCs to children. Conversely, the standard practice of blood banks is to deliver the oldest

SUBMITTER: Tucci M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6064163 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature