Table 2.
Blood transfusion guidelines used by clinicians in the FEAST trial
| Guidelines | Indications for transfusion | Volume and speed of transfusion | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin level (g/dL) | Clinical symptoms | |||
| WHO Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children (2005)* | 4 or less | Not required | 20 mL/kg whole blood or 10 mL/kg packed cells over 3 to 4 hours | |
| OR | ||||
| 6 or less | PLUS 1 or more | Deep and laboured breathing | ||
| Cardiac failure | ||||
| Clinical dehydration | ||||
| Shock | ||||
| Impaired consciousness | ||||
| Malaria parasitaemia >10% | ||||
| Kenya Guidelines for Appropriate Use of Blood and Blood Products (2004)* | Less than 4 | Not required | 20 mL/kg whole blood over 3 to 4 hours | |
| OR | ||||
| Less than 5 | PLUS | Respiratory distress | ||
| Ugandan National Guidelines (2010)* | 4 or less | Not required | 20 mL/kg whole blood or 10 mL/kg packed cells over 3 to 4 hours | |
| OR | ||||
| 6 or less | PLUS 1 or more | Hypoxia | ||
| Cardiac decompensation | ||||
| Acidosis | ||||
| Impaired consciousness | ||||
| Cerebral malaria | ||||
| Septicaemia | ||||
| Meningitis | ||||
| Malaria parasitaemia >20% | ||||
| Tanzania National Malaria Guidelines (2006)* | 4 or less | Not required | 20 mL/kg whole blood or 10 mL/kg packed cells over 3 to 4 hours | |
| OR | ||||
| 6 or less | PLUS | Cardiac failure | ||
*Version of guidelines available at the time of the FEAST trial.