The authors try to further improve the concept of autologous blood transfusion in perioperative care for small children who are unsuitable for planned pre-operative blood donation for technical reasons. There are outlined indications, contraindications, necessary preoperative evaluation, monitoring, type of anesthesia, technique of donation, necessary laboratory assessment and postoperative care. The intentional normovolemic hemodilution was performed in 3 children of pre-school age, mean weight 22 kilograms. The mean blood volume aspirated was 193 mililitres. The followed group is small; however, it proves the applicability of the method even in pre-school children.

        Key words: autologous blood transfusion O blood donation