Approach to a Child with a Haematological Problem

Common blood products – dosing, volumes and storage

Red cell products:

Storage: 1–6 °C (refrigerator).

Administration: Use blood administration sets.

• Paediatric red cell concentrate (25–150 mL).
• Paediatric red cell concentrate, leucodepleted (75 mL).
• Packed cells (volume in mL) = 4 x weight x desired increase in haemoglobin.
• Whole blood, leucodepleted (485 mL): used in exchange transfusion; volume to be infused in mL = 6 x weight x deficit.

Platelet products:

Storage: Do not refrigerate, use immediately.

Administration: Use special platelet administration sets.

• Paediatric platelet concentrate, single donor, apheresis, leucodepleted (50–60 mL).
• Platelet concentrate, single donor, apheresis, leucodepleted (100– 300 mL).
• Random donor, pooled platelets (200–300 mL).
• Platelet concentrate = 5–10 mL/kg used for ordering, but administer the entire volume.

Plasma products:

Storage and administration: Transfuse immediately after reconstitution and issue.

Clotting Factors: 

• Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (75 mL) (kept in blood bank). 
  • 15 mL/kg/dose (100 IU/unit).
• Fresh dried plasma (FDP) (260 mL) (can be kept on the shelf).
  • 15 mL/kg/dose (100–160 mL).
• Cryoprecipitate – fibrinogen rich (30 mL).
  • 1 unit/10 kg/dose (150–200 IU/unit).
• Factor VIII concentrate.
  • 25–50 IU/kg/dose (100–500 IU/unit).
• Factor IX concentrate.
  • 40–60 IU/kg/dose

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For current prices see: https://sanbs.org.za/product-price-list/

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Click here to access the pdf.

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Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa Paediatric Hospital_2023 edition_Updated February 2025

Chapter 3: Blood and Blood-Forming Organs, Approach to a Child with a Haematological Problem