The influence of the storage lesion(s) on pediatric red cell transfusion

Purpose of review This article will analyze and evaluate the current evidence regarding the use of older, longer-stored red blood cells (RBCs) for transfusion in pediatric patients and will examine some of the postulated mechanisms of injury related to prolonged refrigerated storage of RBCs and studies reporting clinical outcomes. Recent findings Three randomized controlled trials and seven observational studies have been conducted entirely in pediatric patients. The outcomes, mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients and children undergoing cardiac surgery, and necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants, have been inconsistent. However, many of these studies have been confounded by study design, mixed patient populations, red cell preparation, and other factors. Summary Further exploration into the possible deleterious effects of older, longer-stored RBC transfusions on mortality and morbidity in different pediatric populations is merited. Understanding the potential mechanisms of injury should help explain the clinical findings.