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Blood Product Transfusion and Coagulopathy in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Blood Product Transfusion and Coagulopathy in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review

Robert Marcel Huibonhoa, Niranjan Vijayakumar, Daniel Kelly, Oliver Karam and Madhuradhar Chegondi
Children (Basel), Vol.13(1), 104
01/11/2026
DOI: 10.3390/children13010104
PMID: 41597112
url
https://doi.org/10.3390/children13010104View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of critical illness and mortality in children. Transfusion of blood products, a common intervention in the management of pediatric TBI, has important implications for related principles, including trauma-induced coagulopathy, cerebral perfusion, and cerebral oxygen delivery. Knowledge gaps persist due to the limited availability of pediatric-specific data regarding blood product transfusion in TBI. In particular, there is a lack of prospective studies defining appropriate specific laboratory thresholds and transfusion targets, as well as insufficient evidence to guide the weighing of potential benefits against transfusion-related risks in this population. Although blood product transfusion in pediatric TBI has been associated with worse clinical outcomes, the underlying mechanisms and contributing factors remain poorly understood. In this review, we aimed to describe the pediatric literature on component and whole blood product transfusion in children with TBI and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of coagulopathy in this population. In addition, we incorporated available pediatric guidelines and recommendations specific to the setting of acute brain injury.
 traumatic brain injury pediatric blood transfusion

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