Blood transfusion requirements among children with severe malarial anemia: a cross-sectional study in a second level reference hospital in Burkina Faso

INTRODUCTION: blood transfusion (BT) is an important part of pediatrics healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa because of anemia due to malaria, malnutrition and hereditary anomalies of red blood cells. However, BT services experienced chronic blood shortage, unsafe blood products and poor procedures of clinical use of blood. This results in inadequate management of severe anemia. METHODS: to assess the quality of BT requirements in severe malarial anemia at the regional hospital center of Koudougou in Burkina Faso, we carried out a cross-sectional study including 402 children with severe malaria (WHO 2000 criteria). RESULTS: over the study period, severe malaria represented 45.6% (402/882) of pediatric admissions. Anemia was observed in 97.5% (392/402) of cases and BT was required for 78.4% (315/402). The median age was 16 months (IQR 9-27) and the average hemoglobin was 51.4±22.2 g/L. The prescriptions were in accordance with WHO and national guidelines respectively in 63.8% and 92.7%. Blood units were issued in 99.4% (350/352) of blood orderings. Out of 350 blood units delivered, blood was administered in 98% (343/350). The median actual time to transfusion was 65 minutes (IQR: 45-100) and median transfusion duration was 73.8 minutes (IQR: 47.5-110). The signs of intolerance to anemia disappeared in 134/138 cases (97.1%) and the average haemoglobin increased of 37.9±17.6 g/L. Death occurred in 23 cases (5.7%). CONCLUSION: the management of severe malaria requires blood transfusion in almost half of cases. Blood was available to meet most requests. However, efforts are still required for proper use of the blood.