Effect of Blood Component Transfusion on Vital Signs Among Children

Children are vulnerable to hemodynamic instability due to their distinct physiological characteristics, including a higher circulating blood volume relative to body weight. This physiological difference reduces their ability to tolerate blood loss. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of blood component transfusions on vital signs among children. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out. All children who received blood component transfusions (60 children). The study was conducted in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Medical Unit, and Pediatric Surgical Unit at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah City. During the blood component transfusions, all children were assessed for vital signs before, during, and after the transfusion. One tool was used to collect data. Tool I: A standardized blood component transfusions observational checklist, developed by the National Standards for Blood Transfusion Service (2013) and based on the first edition by the World Health Organization (WHO), was used to assess blood component transfusions and vital signs 15 minutes before, during, and one hour after blood component transfusion. The findings of this study revealed that blood component transfusions have no statistically significant effect on vital signs among children who received blood component transfusions before, during, and after transfusion. Blood component transfusions (packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelet concentrate) showed no statistically significant effect on vital signs (before, during, and after the transfusion). However, gender significantly impacted the mean temperature and blood pressure values during the transfusion. In contrast, other socio-demographic variables, such as blood group and blood component, did not influence the vital signs throughout the process.