Massive Transfusion Protocols for Pediatric Patients: Current Perspectives

Abstract

Meagan E Evangelista,1 Michaela Gaffley,1 Lucas P Neff2 1General Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; 2Pediatric Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USACorrespondence: Michaela Gaffley Email [email protected]: In adults, the use of balanced resuscitation and study of massive transfusion protocols have led to improved outcomes for patients and continues to be refined. In children, massive transfusion protocols require further development and study to assess efficacy. Standardization is needed as transfusions and activation of protocols still rely on physician discretion in most pediatric settings. Further research is required to define the pediatric trauma population that will benefit, when to activate these protocols and how to use adjuncts such as tranexamic acid or factor VII in resuscitation. In addition, future implementation of technology such as hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers to increase survival should be studied further in this subset of patients.Keywords: pediatric trauma, pediatric resuscitation, blood transfusions, pediatric massive transfusion, massive transfusion protocols

Keywords

• pediatric trauma
• pediatric resuscitation
• blood transfusions
• pediatric massive transfusion
• massive transfusion protocols