Are red blood cell transfusions associated with nosocomial infections in pediatric intensive care units?
OBJECTIVES:: To determine whether red blood cell transfusion is similarly associated with nosocomial infections in pediatric intensive care unit patients and whether reduced lymphocyte numbers is a possible mechanism. In adult studies, red blood cell transfusions are associated with nosocomial infections. DESIGN:: Historical cohort study. SETTING:: Single-center, mixed medical-surgical, closed pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary university-affiliated children’s hospital. PATIENTS:: All patients
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether red blood cell transfusion is similarly associated with nosocomial infections in pediatric intensive care unit patients and whether reduced lymphocyte numbers is a possible mechanism. In adult studies, red blood cell transfusions are associated with nosocomial infections. DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING: Single-center, mixed medical-surgical, closed pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary university-affiliated children’s hospital. PATIENTS: All patients < or = 18 yrs old admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit during a 6-month period from January 1 to July 3, 2005. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nosocomial infections (respiratory, urinary tract, and bloodstream infections) were the primary outcome measure and were defined as post transfusion if occurring within 14 days after red blood cell transfusion. Of the 209 subjects enrolled, 32 (15%) acquired nosocomial infections and 45 (22%) received red blood cell transf
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