Preoperative Anemia in Pediatric Patients: Frequency, Contributing Factors, and Impact on Surgical Outcomes in an Australian Population

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Anemia is a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality in pediatric surgical patients, increasing the risk of blood transfusion and adverse outcomes.
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The study aimed to determine the prevalence of preoperative anemia in children undergoing major surgery at an Australian tertiary pediatric hospital.
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Children aged 6 months to 18 years who underwent major surgery between January and December 2023 were included in the retrospective observational study.
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Preoperative anemia was defined using WHO hemoglobin thresholds, with secondary outcomes including transfusion rates and postoperative complications.
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The study's findings aim to address the gap in local data regarding preoperative anemia in pediatric surgical populations in Australasia.

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