Platelet transfusion requirements of children with newly diagnosed lymphoblastic leukaemia

The platelet transfusion requirements of 70 unselected children with lymphoblastic leukaemia were studied from the time of diagnosis to the achievement of complete remission, or to death if no remission was obtained. Platelets were not transfused unless clinically significant bleeding occurred in association with a platelet count of less than 20.0 x 10(9)/l, and on this basis only 31 transfusions were given to 11 (15%) patients for 17 episodes of apparent or presumed bleeding. No deaths occurred due to haemorrhage, and 67 (95%) patients achieved complete remission. These findings suggest that such children do not need prophylactic platelet transfusions, which are commonly given despite their inherent risks and sequelae.