Background Low‐titer group O whole‐blood (LTOWB) is being used for children with life‐threatening traumatic bleeding. A survey was conducted to determine current LTOWB utilization and interest in participation in a randomized control trial (RCT) of LTOWB versus standard blood component transfusion in this population. Study design and methods Transfusion medicine (TM) directors and pediatric trauma directors at 36 US children's hospitals were surveyed by e‐mail in June 2020. Hospitals were selected by participation in the Massive Transfusion Epidemiology and Outcomes in Children Study or being among the largest 30 children's hospitals by bed capacity per the Becker Hospital Review. Results The response rate was 83.3% (30/36) from TM directors and 88.9% (32/36) from trauma directors. The median of massive transfusion protocol activations for traumatic bleeding was reported as 12 (IQR 5.8–20) per year by TM directors. LTOWB was used by 18.8% (6/32) of trauma directors. Survey responses indicate that 86.7% (26/30) of TM directors and 90.6% (29/32) of trauma directors either moderately or strongly agree that a LTOWB RCT is important to perform. About 83.3% (25/30) of TM directors and 93.8% (30/32) of trauma directors were willing to participate in the proposed trial. About 80% (24/30) of TM directors and 71.9% (23/32) of trauma directors would transfuse RhD+ LTOWB to male children, but fewer would transfuse Rh + LTOWB to females [20% (6/30) TM directors and 37.5% (12/32) of trauma directors]. Conclusions A majority of respondents supported an RCT comparing LTOWB to component therapy in children with severe traumatic bleeding.

Background Antifibrinolytic medications have been associated with reduced mortality in pediatric hemorrhage but may contribute to adverse events such as acute kidney injury (AKI). Study Design and Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the MAssive Transfusion in Children (MATIC), a prospectively collected database of children with life‐threatening hemorrhage (LTH), and evaluated for risk of adverse events with either antifibrinolytic treatment, epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) or tranexamic acid (TXA). The primary outcome was AKI and secondary outcomes were acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis. Results Of 448 children included, median (interquartile range) age was 7 (2–15) years, 55% were male, and LTH etiology was 46% trauma, 34% operative, and 20% medical. Three hundred and ninety‐three patients did not receive an antifibrinolytic (88%); 37 (8%) received TXA and 18 (4%) received EACA. Sixty‐seven (17.1%) patients in the no antifibrinolytic group developed AKI, 6 (16.2%) patients in the TXA group, and 9 (50%) patients in the EACA group (p = .002). After adjusting for cardiothoracic surgery, cyanotic heart disease, preexisting renal disease, lowest hemoglobin pre‐LTH, and total weight‐adjusted transfusion volume during the LTH, the EACA group had increased risk of AKI (adjusted odds ratio 3.3 [95% CI: 1.0–10.3]) compared to no antifibrinolytic. TXA was not associated with AKI. Neither antifibrinolytic treatment was associated with ARDS or sepsis. Conclusion Administration of EACA during LTH may increase the risk of AKI. Additional studies are needed to compare the risk of AKI between EACA and TXA in pediatric patients.