Defining massive transfusion in civilian pediatric trauma.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify an optimal definition of massive transfusion (MT) in civilian pediatric trauma.

METHODS

Severely injured children (age ≤18 years, injury severity score ≥25) in the Trauma Quality Improvement Program research datasets 2014-2015 that received blood products were identified. Children with traumatic brain injury and non-survivable injuries were excluded. Early mortality was defined as death within 24 h and delayed mortality as death after 24 h from hospital admission. Receiver operating curves and sensitivity and specificity analysis identified an MT threshold. Continuous variables are presented as median [IQR].

RESULTS

Of the 270 included children, the overall mortality was 27% (N = 74). There were no differences in demographics or mechanism of injury between children that lived or died. Sensitivity and specificity for early mortality was optimized at a 4-h transfusion volume of 37 ml/kg. After controlling for other significant variables, a threshold of 37 ml/kg/4 h predicted the need for a hemorrhage control procedure (OR 8.60; 95% CI 4.25-17.42; p < 0.01) and early mortality (OR 4.24; 95% CI 1.96-9.16; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

An MTP threshold of 37 mL/kg/4 h of transfused blood products predicted the need for hemorrhage control procedures and early mortality. This threshold may provide clinicians with a timely prognostic indicator, improve research methodology, and resource utilization.

TYPE OF STUDY

Diagnostic Test.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.