Population
Thalassemia major patients (n=160).
Intervention
ABO/RhD identical packed red blood cell (PRBCs) after determining its Hb content (>/=50 g) group I, (n = 80).
Comparison
Randomly selected ABO/RhD identical PRBCs group II ,(n = 80).
Outcome
The mean Hb content of the PRBC units was significantly higher in group I (67.86 +/- 8.07 g; range: 50.80-92.13 g) than group II (60.92 +/- 8.29 g; range: 40.86-86.76 g). The mean Hb increment was also significantly higher in group I patients. In both the groups, there was a significant negative correlation between Hb increment and weight, age, body surface area and blood volume. There was a significant positive correlation between Hb increment and Hb dose adjusted for body surface area as well as blood volume. PRBC transfusion was more efficacious in patients who were transfused with PRBCs having a Hb content >/=50 g as compared to those who received randomly selected PRBCs.