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Paediatric Blood Volume Estimation — FRCA Final MCQ

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EasyPaediatric AnaesthesiaPaediatric Blood Volume EstimationFRCA Final

A 7-year-old child (25 kg) is undergoing appendicectomy under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetist calculates the estimated blood volume (EBV). What is the estimated blood volume for a child of this age?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — 70 mL/kg

Estimated blood volume varies by age: premature neonates ~90-100 mL/kg, term neonates ~80 mL/kg, infants (3-12 months) ~80 mL/kg, children (1-12 years) ~70 mL/kg, adolescents/adults ~70 mL/kg (65 mL/kg female, 75 mL/kg male). For this 7-year-old: EBV = 25 × 70 = 1750 mL. Knowledge of EBV is essential for calculating maximum allowable blood loss (MABL) and guiding transfusion decisions.

Reference: APA – 2019 – Paediatric fluid and blood management; RCOA – 2023 – Paediatric module