Transfusion Use Among Children With Hematologic Malignancies Receiving Concurrent Hospice Care.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Hematologic Malignancies
• Palliative Care
• Hospice Care

Background:

• Hematologic malignancy patients access hospice care at lower rates than other diagnoses.
• This may be attributed to the cessation of essential transfusion support.
• Pediatric patients with cancer often require ongoing transfusions for symptom management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate transfusion utilization in pediatric patients with hematologic cancers.
• To assess the impact of home-based hospice programs that maintain transfusion availability.
• To understand the role of transfusions in symptom-focused care for children with cancer in hospice.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patients under 21 years with hematologic malignancies.
• Data collected over a three-year period (October 2022-2025).
• Utilized structured query language reports and manual chart reviews for demographic and clinical data.

Main Results:

• Thirty-six pediatric patients (mean age 10.9 years) were included.
• Patients received a mean of 88.6 platelet and 32.4 red blood cell transfusions during hospice.
• Transfusion use was higher in international patients and those with acute myeloid leukemia; longer hospice enrollment correlated with more transfusions.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric patients with hematologic cancers commonly received transfusions throughout hospice care.
• Guaranteed transfusion access supports symptom-focused care in hospice settings for children.
• This model of care can improve quality of life for pediatric oncology patients nearing end-of-life.