Objective: To verify the adequacy of red blood cell (RBC) prescription to pediatric patients in different sectors of a pediatric hospital. Method: A retrospective study was conducted including 837/990 RBC transfusion requisition forms for children and adolescents (0 to 13 years old) filed in between January 2007 and April 2015 by the pediatricians of the emergency room (ER), infirmary ward and intensive care unit (pICU). Transfusion requisition forms belonging to patients with chronic anemia or acute hemorrhage, as well as incompletes requisition forms, were excluded. Results: Trigger, prescribed volume and subtype of RBC concentrates were adequate in 532 (65.3%), 460 (58.8%) and 805 (96.2%) of the transfusions, respectively. When the clinical picture was considered, prescription adequacy was higher compared to the use of the hemoglobin level alone (70.9% vs. 41%). The pICU had the highest correct trigger percentage (343 [71.6%]; p<0.001) while the ER showed more often adequate prescribed volumes (119 [66.1%]; p=0.020). The most common inadequacy regarding volume was that of prescriptions above the recommendation > 15 mL/kg found in 309 cases (36.9%). Thirty-two (32) RBC subtypes were requested and none were consistent with current recommendations. Conclusion:The results obtained in our study showed that RBC transfusion occurred more appropriately when the clinical picture was taken into account at request. There was a tendency to prescribe higher volumes and RBC subtypes without the justification of current protocols. Hemotherapic teachings at undergraduate level and medical residency must be improved.

Objective: To verify the adequacy of platelet concentrate prescription by pediatricians in different pediatric sectors of a general hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating 218/227 platelet concentrate records in children and adolescents (zero to 13 years old), from January 2007 to April 2015, by the pediatricians of the emergency room, sick bay and intensive care unit. The requisitions were excluded in patients with hematological diseases and those without the number of platelets. Results: Children under 12 months received 98 platelet concentrates (45.2%). Most of the transfusions were prophylactic (165; 79%). Regarding the transfusion site, 39 (18%) were in the emergency room, 27 (12.4%) in the sick bay and 151 (69.6%) in the intensive care unit. The trigger, prescribed volume and platelet concentrate subtype were adequate in 59 (28.2%), 116 (53.5%) and 209 (96.3%) of the transfusions, respectively. Patients with hemorrhage presented adequacy in 42 (95.5%), while children without bleeding presented in 17 (10.3%). The most common inadequacy related to volume was the prescription above recommendation (95; 43.8%). Eight platelet concentrates were prescribed with subtype requests without indication. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study showed that transfusion of platelet concentrate occurred more adequately in children with active bleeding compared to prophylactic transfusion. There was a tendency to prescribe high volumes and platelet subtypes not justified according to current protocols. The teaching of transfusion medicine should be more valued at undergraduate and medical residency.

Since this is a cross-sectional study, 232 children and adolescents from an institution for children from low-income families in situations of social vulnerability in the city of Santo André, Brazil were included. The study was conducted from January to December 2019.The exclusion criteria were as follows: patients with chronic diseases (except overweight, asthma, and rhinitis),

Figura 2-Distensão importante de alças intestinais.