[Allergic adverse transfusion reactions in paediatrics, a 3-year study].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In the transfused patients, in France, in 2011, allergy ranked as the third adverse transfusion reaction. In order to evaluate the incidence and symptomatology of allergic adverse transfusion reactions in the paediatric people, a study was performed.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

It was focused on patients under 18years of age cared for in hospitals of the Rhone-Alpes area. The national haemovigilance database (e-FIT) reports of allergic transfusion reactions were reviewed.

RESULTS

From January 1st 2009 to December 31st 2011, among 2,165 reports, 141 (6.5%) adverse transfusion reaction reports were collected in paediatric patients. Sixty-eight (48.2%) indicated allergic reactions and corresponded to 64 recipients. As regards clinical manifestations, forty-eight (70.6%) indicated cutaneous signs only, 3 (4.4%) mentioned pulmonary signs only and 9 (13.2%) reported both. Urticaria was observed in 38 cases (55.9%). Bronchospasm was notified in 4 cases but there was no angioedema. As for the severity of reactions, one adverse transfusion reaction was severe (grade 2) and 2 were life-threatening (grade 3). The most involved blood component was the apheresis platelet concentrate (40 cases, 58.8%) followed by the red blood cell concentrate (17 cases, 25.0%) and the methylene blue-treated fresh-frozen plasma (11 cases, 16.2%).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that among paediatric recipients, cutaneous signs are predominant in allergic adverse transfusion reactions and that the apheresis platelet concentrate is the most frequently involved blood component.