Comparison of transfusion reactions in children and adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Pediatric Hematology

Background:

• Lack of international standards for diagnosing and treating blood transfusion complications.
• Significant variations exist in transfusion reaction incidence between pediatric and adult populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively compare the incidence of adverse blood transfusion reactions in children versus adults.
• To identify specific types of transfusion reactions that are more prevalent in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of adverse blood transfusion reactions in children and adults up to November 27, 2021.
• Meta-analysis conducted using Revman 5.2 and Stata 15.1.

Main Results:

• Children exhibit a higher incidence of overall transfusion reactions compared to adults.
• Pediatric patients receiving red blood cell and platelet transfusions showed increased reaction rates.
• Allergic and febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions were significantly more common in children.
• Certain rare transfusion reactions were also found to be significantly higher in children.

Conclusions:

• Transfusion reaction incidence differs notably between pediatric and adult populations.
• The findings underscore the necessity for developing specific clinical guidelines for blood transfusions in children.