Red cell transfusion in Paediatric Allogeneic HSCT (RePAST)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Red Cell Transfusion in Paediatric Allogeneic HSCT
IRAS ID
246398
Contact name
Val Hopkins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Blood & Transplant
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
This is a small pilot feasibility study for a possible randomised controlled trial comparing clinical outcomes and quality of life following two different transfusion strategies in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).
Children who undergo allogeneic HSCT usually receive red blood cell transfusions in the initial period after their transplant, due to reduced haemoglobin levels as a result of bone marrow suppression. In this situation, the red cell transfusions are commonly given when the child’s haemoglobin falls below 70-80g/L. The evidence for this practice is based largely on clinical trials which suggest that in most situations transfusing red cells at haemoglobin thresholds of 70g/L is sufficient, with no benefit of transfusing at higher haemoglobin thresholds. However, this evidence is largely from adult trials in non-HSCT patients. Clinical studies are required to help us understand the best strategy for use of red cell transfusions in paediatric HSCT.
Patients aged between and including 1 and 17 years will participate in this study for the first 100 days after their transplant. Patients will be randomised between the two red cell transfusion strategies: transfusing at a haemoglobin threshold of ≤ 65 g/L (Arm A) or ≤ 80 g/L (Arm B).
Participants of 8 years and older will be asked to fill in short questionnaires about their quality of life at certain intervals during the period of their study. All parents will be asked to fill in an equivalent parent questionnaire.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0714
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion