Platelet utilization in the developing world: Strategies to optimize platelet transfusion practices

There is perennial shortage of blood and blood components in most of the developing world. The resources are inadequate in terms of meeting the ever growing demand of blood components especially platelets. A poor health care system has led to underdevelopment of blood transfusion services which ultimately affect the transfusion practices. There is a paucity of comprehensive data on the platelet usage from the developing countries which is reflective of their modest development in blood component therapy. This is in sharp contrast to the fast pace of development in platelet transfusion practice in developed world where platelet substitutes are to become a reality for clinical use in near future. In developing world a considerable heterogeneity exists for platelet transfusion practices between countries, and even within countries in hospitals where this precious resource is available. This variation in existing practices can partly be explained by factors like individual preferences, lack of any hospital transfusion policy with regard to platelet transfusion, problems of platelet availability, etc. There is a need to implement best platelet transfusion practices as platelet products are scarcely available and expensive. Few interventions are emphasized in this article in the context of improving the status of platelet utilization in developing countries.