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Preoperative Anaemia and Blood Transfusion Requirements in Children Undergoing Surgery under General Anaesthesia at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Anaemia prevalence among children in Nigeria is a serious morbidity although it's prevalence in Benin has not been determined in recent times. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of preoperative anaemia, its' associated factors and blood transfusion requirements in children undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia at our facility.
Methodology: A retrospective study of children aged 0 -17 years who had surgery under general anaesthesia at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin from January 2006 to June 2008, was carried out after ethical approval. The master register, anaesthetic charts and case notes of paediatric patients were used to determine the prevalence of preoperative anaemia, causes of anaemia, complications of anaemia and that of its' treatment and blood transfusion requirements. Data was analysed and
subjected to statistical tests using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.
Results: Six hundred and fifty two (652) children scheduled for anaesthesia were studied. An incidence of preoperative anaemia of 12% in paediatric surgical patients was found (n=80). The complications of anemia and its' treatment include pulmonary oedema, hypotension, prolong recovery and urticaria (n=35 i.e. 44%, p<0.05). A significant number of patients of paediatric age undergoing surgery and general anaesthesia who had preoperative anaemia required blood transfusion when compared to those who had normal PCV's ( x2=11.34, p<0.05.
Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia of 12% was found in children undergoing surgery at UBTH. Anaemia is anaesthesia related risk and knowledge of its prevalence is important for research statistics for health planning. This would lead to improved peri-operative care in children.
Methodology: A retrospective study of children aged 0 -17 years who had surgery under general anaesthesia at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin from January 2006 to June 2008, was carried out after ethical approval. The master register, anaesthetic charts and case notes of paediatric patients were used to determine the prevalence of preoperative anaemia, causes of anaemia, complications of anaemia and that of its' treatment and blood transfusion requirements. Data was analysed and
subjected to statistical tests using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.
Results: Six hundred and fifty two (652) children scheduled for anaesthesia were studied. An incidence of preoperative anaemia of 12% in paediatric surgical patients was found (n=80). The complications of anemia and its' treatment include pulmonary oedema, hypotension, prolong recovery and urticaria (n=35 i.e. 44%, p<0.05). A significant number of patients of paediatric age undergoing surgery and general anaesthesia who had preoperative anaemia required blood transfusion when compared to those who had normal PCV's ( x2=11.34, p<0.05.
Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia of 12% was found in children undergoing surgery at UBTH. Anaemia is anaesthesia related risk and knowledge of its prevalence is important for research statistics for health planning. This would lead to improved peri-operative care in children.
