Pediatric Blood Transfusion Volume Calculator

Determines blood transfusion volume (BTV) based on infant or child’s weight, hemoglobin increment and hematocrit.

Refer to the text below the tool for more information about the formula used.

Blood transfusion volume is usually estimated in adult patients by the rule of thumb that one unit of packed red blood cells (RBCs) raises the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration by 1 g/dL or the hematocrit by 3%.

However, because the blood volume of infants and children varies considerably, the pediatric BTV required to raise the Hb by 1 g/dL is lower than that needed for an adult.

A correlation gradient of 5.02 was found by Davies et al. between mL per kg blood transfused and increase in Hb.

In neonates and children less than 20kg, transfusion volumes are based on weight and prescribed in mLs. The equation is:

Transfusion Blood Volume = Weight (kg) x Hemoglobin increment x 3 / Hematocrit

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Steps on how to print your input & results:

1. Fill in the calculator/tool with your values and/or your answer choices and press Calculate.

2. Then you can click on the Print button to open a PDF in a separate window with the inputs and results. You can further save the PDF or print it.

Please note that once you have closed the PDF you need to click on the Calculate button before you try opening it again, otherwise the input and/or results may not appear in the pdf.

Pediatric BTV Explained

However, because the blood volume of infants and children varies considerably, the pediatric BTV required to raise the Hb by 1 g/dL is lower than that needed for an adult.

Davies et al. devised an equation that allows accurate blood volume calculation by accounting for the increase in serum hemoglobin. Data from a cohort of 7,679 patients were examined, with a total of 564 transfusions.

A correlation gradient of 5.02 was found between mL per kg blood transfused and increase in Hb.

In neonates and children less than 20kg, transfusion volumes are based on weight and prescribed in mLs. The equation is:

Transfusion Blood Volume = Weight (kg) x Hemoglobin increment x 3 / Hematocrit

The table below summarizes normal pediatric hematocrit ranges:

Infant / Child’s age	Hematocrit
One month	42 - 65%
Two months	33 - 55%
Three to six months	28 - 41%
Six to twelve months	31 - 41%
One to five years	31 - 44%
After five years	34 - 48%

References

Original reference

Davies P, Robertson S, Hegde S, Greenwood R, Massey E, Davis P. Calculating the required transfusion volume in children. Transfusion. 2007; 47(2):212-216.

Other references

Arslan O, Toprak S, Arat M, Kayalak Y. Hb content-based transfusion policy successfully reduces the number of RBC units transfused. Transfusion. 2004; 44(4):485-488.

Grant MJ, Huether SE, Witte MK. Effect of red blood cell transfusion on oxygen consumption in the anemic pediatric patient. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2003; 4(4):459-464.

Specialty: Pediatrics

System: Circulatory

Year Of Study: 2007

Article By: Denise Nedea

Published On: August 13, 2020 · 12:00 AM

Last Checked: August 13, 2020