Transfusion Dose Calculator
Determine the recommended volume for common pediatric blood products using weight-based dosing and desired hemoglobin increase.
Packed RBCs: 4 mL/kg raises hemoglobin by ≈1 g/dL.
Recommended Dose
Volume to transfuse
202 mL
Estimated volume to raise hemoglobin by 2.8 g/dL.
Weight used: 18.00 kg.
How to Use This Calculator
Select the blood product
Different products have different mL/kg dosing targets.
Enter weight
We convert pounds to kilograms automatically.
Set desired hemoglobin increase
Default target is 10 g/dL; adjust for your patient.
Formula
Packed RBC volume (mL) = Weight (kg) × 4 mL/kg × (Desired Hb − Current Hb).
References: AABB Pediatric Transfusion Guidelines, American Academy of Pediatrics, and UpToDate® transfusion practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 10 mL/kg PRBC raise hemoglobin?
Approximately 2.5 g/dL. Adjust calculations accordingly.
What if the patient has heart failure?
Transfuse slower and consider smaller aliquots (5 mL/kg) with post-transfusion diuretics as directed.
Can I transfuse platelets empirically?
Only for significant bleeding or procedures with platelets <50k/µL (<10–20k prophylactically). Follow local policy.
Do neonates use the same factor?
Yes for RBC (10–15 mL/kg). Neonates often transfuse 10–15 mL/kg per aliquot.
Should I recheck labs after transfusion?
Yes—repeat CBC or coagulation tests 30–60 minutes after completion to assess response.