Original article

Ahead-of-Print

How do we transfuse children in Italy? Results of a national survey

Authors

Key words: neonatal transfusion, pediatric transfusion, red blood cells, platelets, surveys
Publication Date: 2024-11-29

Abstract

Background - Adherence to optimal practices in the preparation and issuance of pediatric blood components can significantly influence patient care outcomes. This study aims to examine the blood banking procedures across prominent Italian children’s hospitals, with the goal of identifying both consistent and potentially divergent standards within this field.

Materials and methods - A survey was conducted among the blood banks affiliated with the Italian Association of Pediatric Hospitals. Modeled after the AABB Neonatal and Pediatric Blood Bank Practices Survey, the questionnaire comprised 25 questions covering hospital characteristics, definitions of the neonatal period, pre-transfusion tests, blood component availability, and irradiation protocols.

Results - Fourteen out of the sixteen invited blood banks participated in the survey. The findings revealed a wide range of practices among the surveyed hospitals. Major differences were noted in the neonatal period definition, pre-transfusion compatibility procedures, and platelet transfusion protocols. All hospitals provided leukodepleted packed red blood cells (pRBCs), with differences in availability of autologous blood and reconstituted whole blood. Irradiated blood components were universally accessible, with differences in post-irradiation acceptable storage time. Additionally, differences in dosages for packed red blood cells (pRBCs) and platelet concentrates (PCs) were observed across hospitals.

Conclusions - Standardized guidelines for pediatric transfusion practices within Italian blood banks are of paramount importance. The observed variability underscores the necessity for sharing best practices among centers supplying blood components to pediatric patients.

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Authors

Pierpaolo Berti - Transfusion Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0512-2704

Michele Vacca - Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy

Franco Bambi - Transfusion Medicine and Laboratory Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Florence, Italy

Vanessa Agostini - Transfusion Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy

Nicola Bet - Transfusion Medicine Unit, Giuliano Isontina University Hospital, Trieste, Italy

Maria Vittoria Mascio - Transfusion Medicine Unit, Santobono Pausilipon National Hospital, Naples, Italy

Gino Tripodi - Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy

Liviana Catalano - Italian National Blood Center, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy

Roberto Albiani - Department of Maternal, Infant, and Trauma Transfusion Medicine, City of Health and Science of Turin University Hospital, Turin, Italy

Marco Della Ventura - Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola Hospital, Rome, Italy

Mauro Montanari - Transfusion Medicine Unit, University Hospital Trust of the Marche, Ancona, Italy

Benedetta Costantini - Transfusion Medicine Unit, University Hospital Trust of the Marche, Ancona, Italy

Angelo Ostuni - Transfusion Medicine Unit, Policlinico University Hospital, Bari, Italy

Salvatore Pignanelli - Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Bologna Metropolitan Area, Bologna, Italy

Francesca Pollis - Transfusion Medicine Unit, Alessandria University Hospital, Alessandria, Italy

Enrica Prati - Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy

Camillo Almici - Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy

Tiziana Tison - Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Azienda Ospedale – Università Padova, Padua, Italy

Stefania Villa - Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

Ottavia Porzio - Transfusion Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy

Massimo La Raja - Transfusion Medicine Unit, Giuliano Isontina University Hospital, Trieste, Italy

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