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Bastu Odoka: How Much Does Blood Transfusion Raise Hemoglobin in Children?
Bastu Odoka/LinkedIn
Sep 20, 2026, 15:03

Bastu Odoka: How Much Does Blood Transfusion Raise Hemoglobin in Children?

Bastu Odoka, Transfusion Scientist at Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

” ‘One unit of blood raises Hb by about 1 g/dL.’

But does that apply to children?

Last week, a clinician came to the blood bank to secure blood for a 10 kg child being prepared for surgery.

The request was: 200 mL whole blood multiplied by 2

The initial 200 mL wasn’t the problem.

In our setting, 20 mL/kg of whole blood is commonly used for children, which gives: 10 kg multiplied by 20 mL/kg equals 200 mL

The misunderstanding was about the expected rise in haemoglobin.

There was an assumption that the first 200 mL would raise the child’s Hb by about 1 g/dL, and another 200 mL would provide a further increase.

We discussed the calculation together, particularly the fact that the desired Hb rise is already factored into the calculated volume.

Based on the child’s weight and the desired Hb increase, we agreed that 200 mL of whole blood was appropriate.

According to the National Blood Service guidance we use:

Whole blood (mL):

Weight (kg) multiplied by desired Hb increase (g/dL) multiplied by 5

Concentrated red cells (mL):

Weight (kg) multiplied by desired Hb increase (g/dL) multiplied by 3

So, let’s take a 10 kg child with an Hb of 5 g/dL, and suppose the desired Hb is 9 g/dL.

Desired Hb increase equals 4 g/dL

For whole blood: 10 multiplied by 4 multiplied by 5 equals 200 mL

So that 200 mL is already the estimated volume required for an approximately 4 g/dL rise, not 1 g/dL.

This is where the familiar adult rule of thumb can cause confusion.

In an average, non-bleeding adult, one unit of red cells is commonly expected to raise Hb by approximately 1 g/dL.

In children, however, the volume and desired Hb increase are calculated together.

Of course, the actual Hb response may vary with ongoing bleeding, haemolysis, fluid status and the child’s clinical condition.

Key message:

The rule of thumb we use in adults does not apply the same way to children.

For children, think weight plus desired Hb increase plus volume.”

Bastu Odoka: How Much Does Blood Transfusion Raise Hemoglobin in Children?

Other posts featuring Bastu Odoka on Hemostasis Today.

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