Will my baby need a blood transfusion?
Why might my baby need a blood transfusion?
Newborn babies frequently become anaemic (have a reduced number of red blood cells), particularly if they are born early. This may be because of medical problems, or because babies who are unwell require a large number of blood tests to monitor their progress and this blood needs to be replaced.
Occasionally, babies who are very jaundiced or anaemic need to have blood removed as well as transfused; this is called an exchange transfusion. If your baby needs an operation, a blood transfusion may be needed to replace any blood lost during surgery.
Risks associated with a blood transfusion
The risk that a blood transfusion will cause severe harm or even death is very low but this should be discussed with the doctor or nurse caring for your baby. One of the most important checks for a safe transfusion is to make sure your baby gets the right blood. To ensure this happens, staff carry out careful identification checks of both your baby and the blood they will be given. This is why it is important that your baby wears an identification band.
If you are with your baby, you may also be asked to confirm your baby's full name and date of birth. Please remind the nurse or doctor to ask you this if they do not do so.
If you decide to change your baby's name for any reason, it is important to tell your doctor or nurse, so that your baby's records can be updated.
Compared to other everyday risks, the likelihood of getting an infection from a blood transfusion is very low. All blood donors are unpaid volunteers and the risk of an infected unit entering the UK blood supply continues to decrease.
Donors and blood donations are screened for a number of infections which can be transmitted through blood, but it is not practical or even possible to screen all donations for all infections, therefore, there will always be a small risk associated with having a blood transfusion.
The risk of getting variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) from a blood transfusion is extremely low. Each year, approximately
2.6 million blood components are transfused in the United Kingdom and there have been just a handful of cases where patients are known to have become infected with vCJD from a blood transfusion. Further information on the risks of transfusion can be found here.
Will a blood transfusion affect blood spot screening?
A blood transfusion may affect the blood spot screening test which is offered when your baby is between five and eight days old. If the blood spot sample has not been taken, your baby will need it done before they receive a transfusion. In addition, they may require a further sample to be taken following a blood transfusion. More detailed information on blood spot screening is available here.
How is blood given?
A blood transfusion is given through a tiny tube directly into a vein. The blood will usually be given from a small bag or by a syringe. The amount of time each transfusion takes will depend on a variety of factors; your baby's doctor or nurse will be able to tell you more about this. If your baby needs to be given more than one transfusion, it is normally arranged for the blood to come from the same donor.
How will my baby feel during their blood transfusion?
Most babies will not feel anything unusual during their blood transfusion. Your baby will be closely observed before, during and after the blood transfusion; but please inform staff if you have any concerns about your baby during or after the transfusion. Severe reactions to blood are extremely rare. If they do occur, staff are trained to recognise and treat them.
Can I donate my blood for my child?
No. This is a common question but there are good reasons why this is not done. There is an increased risk of some types of serious reactions following blood transfusion from relatives. Unless blood from a close relative is specially treated with x-rays there is a risk that the transfused blood can trick the baby's immune system and bone marrow, resulting in bone marrow failure. It is better to avoid this risk.
What if I have other worries about blood transfusion?
If you are worried or have any questions, please talk to your baby's doctor or nurse. Many hospitals have a dedicated Hospital Transfusion Team and they may be able to come and discuss your concerns with you.
Become a blood donor
Nationally we use thousands of units of blood per year in the treatment of children. If you would like to help others by becoming a blood donor, please call 0300 123 23 23 or visit NHS Blood and Transplant's website.
Additional information
As a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of transmitting vCJD, people who have received a transfusion of blood or any blood component since 1980 are not currently allowed to donate blood or blood components.