[Allergic adverse transfusion reactions in paediatrics, a 3-year study]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Transfusion Medicine
• Hematology
• Immunology

Background:

• Allergic reactions are a significant concern in blood transfusions.
• In France, allergy was the third most common adverse transfusion reaction in 2011.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence and clinical presentation of allergic adverse transfusion reactions in pediatric patients.
• To identify the blood components most frequently associated with these reactions in children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of national haemovigilance database (e-FIT) reports.
• Analysis focused on patients under 18 years of age in the Rhone-Alpes region of France (2009-2011).
• Categorization of reactions by clinical signs, severity, and implicated blood component.

Main Results:

• 141 (6.5%) of 2,165 transfusion reactions were in pediatric patients; 68 (48.2%) were allergic.
• Cutaneous signs (e.g., urticaria) were predominant (70.6%), with few severe or life-threatening reactions.
• Apheresis platelet concentrate was the most frequently involved component (58.8%).

Conclusions:

• Pediatric allergic transfusion reactions predominantly manifest with cutaneous signs.
• Apheresis platelet concentrate is the most common blood component linked to allergic reactions in children.
• Understanding these patterns is crucial for improving transfusion safety in pediatric populations.