Preoperative anemia increases the risk of red blood cell transfusion and prolonged hospital length of stay in children undergoing spine arthrodesis surgery

Abstract

In this study of 9,095 children undergoing spine surgery, preoperative anemia was associated with an increased risk of RBC transfusion and prolonged LOS. Further studies are needed to determine if treatment of preoperative anemia can effectively reduce intraoperative RBC transfusion.