Spinella PC, Tucci M, Fergusson DA, et al. - This randomized clinical trial was undertaken to determine whether the transfusion of fresh red blood cells (stored ≤ 7 days) decreased new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome vs the use of standard-issue red blood cells in critically ill children. The sample consisted of 1,538 critically ill pediatric patients (768 patients in the fresh red blood cell group and 770 in the standard-issue group). Data reported that sepsis prevalence was 25.8% in the fresh group and 25.3% in the standard-issue group. No significant differences were found in organ dysfunction between fresh and standard-issue red blood cell groups. The use of fresh red blood cells did not decrease the incidence of new or progressive multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (including mortality) vs standard-issue red blood cells among critically ill pediatric patients.