• Stacey L Valentine, Melania M Bembea, Jennifer A Muszynski, Jill M Cholette, Allan Doctor, Phillip C Spinella, Marie E Steiner, Marisa Tucci, Nabil E Hassan, Robert I Parker, Jacques Lacroix, Andrew Argent, Jeffrey L Carson, Kenneth E Remy, Pierre Demaret, Guillaume Emeriaud, KneyberMartin C JMCJDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands., Nina Guzzetta, Mark W Hall, Duncan Macrae, Oliver Karam, Robert T Russell, Paul A Stricker, Adam M Vogel, Robert C Tasker, Alexis F Turgeon, Steven M Schwartz, Ariane Willems, Cassandra D Josephson, LubanNaomi L CNLCDepartment of Pediatrics and Pathology, George Washington University, Washington, DC., Leslie E Lehmann, Simon J Stanworth, Nicole D Zantek, Timothy E Bunchman, Ira M Cheifetz, James D Fortenberry, Meghan Delaney, Leo van de Watering, Karen A Robinson, Sara Malone, Katherine M Steffen, Scot T Bateman, Pediatric Critical Care Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative (TAXI), and Pediatric Critical Care Blood Research Network (BloodNet), and the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) Network.
• Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.
• Pediatr Crit Care Me. 2018 Sep 1; 19 (9): 884898884-898.

ObjectivesTo date, there are no published guidelines to direct RBC transfusion decision-making specifically for critically ill children. We present the recommendations from the Pediatric Critical Care Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative.DesignConsensus conference series of multidisciplinary, international experts in RBC transfusion management of critically ill children.SettingNot applicable.InterventionNone.SubjectsChildren with, or children at risk for, critical illness who receive or are at risk for receiving a RBC transfusion.MethodsA panel of 38 content and four methodology experts met over the course of 2 years to develop evidence-based, and when evidence lacking, expert consensus-based recommendations regarding decision-making for RBC transfusion management and research priorities for transfusion in critically ill children. The experts focused on nine specific populations of critically ill children: general, respiratory failure, nonhemorrhagic shock, nonlife-threatening bleeding or hemorrhagic shock, acute brain injury, acquired/congenital heart disease, sickle cell/oncology/transplant, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/ventricular assist/ renal replacement support, and alternative processing. Data to formulate evidence-based and expert consensus recommendations were selected based on searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from 1980 to May 2017. Agreement was obtained using the Research and Development/UCLA Appropriateness Method. Results were summarized using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method.Measurements And ResultsThe Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative consensus conference developed and reached consensus on a total of 102 recommendations (57 clinical [20 evidence based, 37 expert consensus], 45 research recommendations). All final recommendations met agreement, defined a priori as greater than 80%. A decision tree to aid clinicians was created based on the clinical recommendations.ConclusionsThe Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative recommendations provide important clinical guidance and applicable tools to avoid unnecessary RBC transfusions. Research recommendations identify areas of focus for future investigation to improve outcomes and safety for RBC transfusion.

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