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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

[Transfusion in palliative care in child with malignant disease]

M Munzer1

  • 1Unité d'Hémato-Oncologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Pédiatrique, 47 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51192 Reims cedex, France. mmunzer@chu-reims.fr

Transfusion Clinique Et Biologique : Journal De La Societe Francaise De Transfusion Sanguine
|November 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Blood transfusions can improve the quality of life for children with cancer by managing anemia and fatigue. Transfusion decisions should focus on symptom improvement rather than strict hemoglobin levels, with home transfusions offering convenience.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Palliative Care Oncology
  • Transfusion Medicine

Context:

  • Palliative care for pediatric malignancies often involves significant bone marrow involvement.
  • Anemia and fatigue are common, debilitating symptoms impacting quality of life in these children.
  • Current pediatric transfusion guidelines are limited, necessitating reliance on adult data and clinical judgment.

Purpose:

  • To explore the role of blood transfusions in improving quality of life for children with advanced cancer.
  • To discuss appropriate indications for red blood cell and platelet transfusions in this population.
  • To highlight the importance of symptom management, particularly fatigue, over arbitrary hemoglobin thresholds.

Summary:

  • Red blood cell transfusions can alleviate fatigue associated with anemia in palliative pediatric cancer patients.
  • Platelet transfusion decisions should consider the child's functional status and mobility.
  • Evaluating fatigue levels is crucial, potentially more so than adhering to specific hemoglobin concentration targets.
  • Home transfusion services can reduce the burden of care for patients and families.

Impact:

  • Provides evidence-based considerations for optimizing transfusion strategies in pediatric palliative oncology.
  • Aims to enhance patient comfort and quality of life during advanced stages of cancer.
  • Suggests a more individualized, symptom-driven approach to transfusion therapy in children.
  • Highlights the potential benefits of decentralized transfusion services, such as home care.

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