Should we Transfuse the Sick Child in Africa? - Kathryn Maitland

In sub-Saharan Africa, where infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies are common, severe anaemia is a common cause of paediatric hospital admission, yet the evidence to support current treatment recommendations is limited. The TRansfusion and TReatment of severe Anaemia in African Children: (TRACT ISRCTN84086586) is a 3x2x2 factorial controlled trial involving 3954 children (aged 2m to 12y) with severe anaemia (haemoglobin If confirmed by the trial, a cheap and widely available ‘bundle’ of effective interventions could lead to, if widely implemented, substantial reductions in mortality in African children hospitalised with severe anaemia every year. The trial started in Sept 2014 and currently 2700 children have been enrolled. We expect the trial results to be available in 2017.