Illness to Cause a Baby to Need a Transfusion

Babies requiring blood transfusion

What is a blood transfusion?

A claret transfusion is when donated claret is given to your baby. Information technology is given into a vein, using a soft plastic tube. A typical transfusion for a baby takes most three hours only information technology can exist given more apace (or slowly) if needed.

Why would my baby need a claret transfusion?

Anaemia is a condition that occurs when in that location are not enough red blood cells in the torso. This is measured equally a low level of haemoglobin in your infant'south blood. Babies can get anaemic for several reasons:

Sometimes claret is lost before or around the time of birth
For some premature and ill babies, the ruby blood cells break downwards faster than normal and they are unable to supersede them at the same rate
Before long afterwards birth, in that location is a drop in the level of the hormone that stimulates the body to make red blood cells. This normal fall in the haemoglobin level does not usually cause symptoms. However, in premature or ill babies, the level tin can drop lower and for longer, resulting in symptoms of anaemia
Blood loss associated with routine blood sampling. Anaemia can occur depending on the number of tests that your babe may need to diagnose issues or check on their response to treatment. Although very minor samples are taken, the amount tin can add up over time and contribute to the need for a transfusion
Blood loss associated with surgical procedures.

Why are red claret cells so important?

Red claret cells are essential for carrying oxygen around the body and oxygen is critical for the function of the trunk'due south organs. Babies who are anaemic may appear pale and sleepier than normal. Anaemic babies may not be able to feed well, and some become more than short of breath. We aim to treat anaemia earlier it causes severe problems.

How should anaemia be treated?

Babies can be started on an atomic number 26 supplement by mouth or via their feeding tube from well-nigh ii weeks of age. If your baby has a peculiarly low haemoglobin level, needs surgery, or is developing symptoms, a cerise blood prison cell transfusion may be required. If you are beingness asked to provide consent for a transfusion, the doctors caring for your baby recommend that a transfusion is now needed.

Are there other types of transfusions my baby might demand?

Some babies need a transfusion of blood components (other than cherry-red blood cells) which are given in very specific situations. If your baby needs them, the reasons volition exist discussed with you in detail.

Other blood components that sometimes demand to be transfused include:

Platelets: these are tiny cells in the claret that assist prevent and stop bleeding. If your baby has a low platelet count and is bleeding, or at high risk of serious bleeding, he/she will be given a platelet transfusion
Plasma: this is the yellow liquid that surrounds the red blood cells and platelets. Information technology also contains substances that help blood to jell. A transfusion of plasma, or in some cases, components of plasma is most often used with or without platelet transfusions to assist the blood to jell.

Are transfusions safe?

As a result of ongoing advances in collection and testing, the donated blood supply in Australia is safer than e'er earlier, and one of the safest in the globe. The decision to transfuse, however, must still be fabricated with slap-up care considering transfusion is non (and never will be) take chances-free. Your baby's medico has weighed upward the risks and benefits of transfusion in your baby'south situation.

In Australia many precautions are taken to ensure blood is as rubber every bit possible:

Each blood donor is an unpaid volunteer whose health is carefully checked
Each donor is asked a set of questions to help dominion out anyone who may laissez passer on an infection
Every claret donation is tested for the presence of certain infections including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
Any claret donation that fails the test is discarded.

The well-nigh mutual problem we encounter with blood transfusions in babies is when in that location are problems with the IV line. If this occurs, in that location can be temporary swelling or bruising effectually the Iv site.

Occasionally, your infant's lung function may become worse during, or afterwards, a transfusion. This can exist due to the additional fluid book, and treatment with medication may help. A much less mutual problem chosen transfusion-related lung injury has been reported in older patients and information technology may occur, rarely, in babies.

What happens when my baby has a blood transfusion?

Information technology is disquisitional to ensure your baby receives the correct blood, so clinical staff will follow strict checking procedures. Your infant must wear an identification band. Clinical staff will check your baby's full name and date of birth on the identification band and the blood pack to ensure that your babe receives the right blood. If you are nowadays at the time the transfusion is started you are welcome to participate in this checking process.

How will my baby feel during the blood transfusion?

Almost babies feel no differently during their transfusion. A blood transfusion is commonly given over 3 to four hours. Your baby volition exist carefully monitored during and subsequently the transfusion. Please speak to the staff if you have whatever concerns about your babe.

Can my baby receive a blood transfusion without my consent?

If your baby requires a transfusion, and information technology is not urgent, you lot will be asked to give consent. Your baby'south doctor will obtain written consent from at least one parent. However, your baby'south doctor can requite a blood transfusion to your baby without consent when the transfusion needs to commence immediately to save your baby's life.

What if I accept other worries about the blood transfusion?

Delight speak to your infant'southward doctor or nurse about any concerns you may have, no matter how trivial you think they may be.

Can I donate my blood to my child?

At that place are reasons why this is strongly discouraged. The risk of blood from unrelated donors provided past the Australian Carmine Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) is already extremely depression. There are too increased risks of diverse transfusion reactions with claret from relatives and it is better to avoid these where possible. The ARCBS no longer supports directed donations from relatives except in the case of very rare blood grouping compatibility problems.

Farther information

If you are interested in finding out more nigh blood transfusions please visit: www.transfusion.com.au

When looking at this, or other websites, please proceed in heed that the types of transfusion reactions (due east.m. fevers or chills) that occur in some adults during blood transfusion are very rare in babies. If a baby does feel these problems, clinical staff will urgently assess the situation.

Please speak to your baby'south doctor or nurse if y'all still accept any questions afterward reading this brochure.

How can I become a blood donor?

If you would like to assistance others by becoming a blood donor, delight call xiii 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au

Acknowledgements

This information sail has been adapted for parents of babies in Mater Mothers' Neonatal Disquisitional Care Unit, from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Claret Transfusion's 'Children receiving a blood transfusion: a parent's guide'.

Mater acknowledges consumer consultation in the development of this patient information.

Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-430187

Last modified xvi/12/2019.
Consumers were consulted in the development of this patient information.
Terminal consumer engagement engagement: 25/11/2019

For farther translated health information, you tin can visit healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ supported by the Victorian Department of Wellness and Human Services that offers a range of patient information in multiple languages.

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Source: http://brochures.mater.org.au/brochures/mater-mothers-hospital/babies-requiring-blood-transfusion