Why Can't I Give Blood to My Baby

Babies requiring blood transfusion

What is a blood transfusion?

A claret transfusion is when donated blood is given to your baby. It is given into a vein, using a soft plastic tube. A typical transfusion for a infant takes about three hours simply it tin can be given more quickly (or slowly) if needed.

Why would my baby need a blood transfusion?

Anaemia is a condition that occurs when there are not enough ruby-red blood cells in the body. This is measured every bit a low level of haemoglobin in your baby's blood. Babies can go anaemic for several reasons:

Sometimes blood is lost earlier or effectually the time of birth
For some premature and sick babies, the red blood cells break downward faster than normal and they are unable to supersede them at the same rate
Shortly after birth, at that place is a drop in the level of the hormone that stimulates the torso to make red blood cells. This normal fall in the haemoglobin level does not usually cause symptoms. However, in premature or sick babies, the level 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 baby may demand to diagnose problems or cheque on their response to treatment. Although very pocket-size samples are taken, the amount can add together up over time and contribute to the need for a transfusion
Claret loss associated with surgical procedures.

Why are ruby-red blood cells so important?

Red blood cells are essential for conveying 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 exist able to feed well, and some become more short of jiff. Nosotros aim to care for anaemia before it causes severe problems.

How should anaemia be treated?

Babies can be started on an iron supplement by oral cavity or via their feeding tube from about two weeks of age. If your babe has a especially low haemoglobin level, needs surgery, or is developing symptoms, a red claret cell transfusion may be required. If yous are being asked to provide consent for a transfusion, the doctors caring for your infant recommend that a transfusion is at present needed.

Are there other types of transfusions my baby might need?

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

Other claret components that sometimes need to be transfused include:

Platelets: these are tiny cells in the blood that help prevent and stop bleeding. If your baby has a low platelet count and is bleeding, or at high risk of serious haemorrhage, he/she volition be given a platelet transfusion
Plasma: this is the yellow liquid that surrounds the red blood cells and platelets. It also contains substances that help blood to clot. A transfusion of plasma, or in some cases, components of plasma is near oftentimes used with or without platelet transfusions to assistance the blood to clot.

Are transfusions rubber?

As a result of ongoing advances in collection and testing, the donated blood supply in Australia is safer than ever before, and one of the safest in the earth. The decision to transfuse, however, must however be made with slap-up care because transfusion is not (and never will be) adventure-costless. Your babe's doctor has weighed upwardly the risks and benefits of transfusion in your baby'south situation.

In Australia many precautions are taken to ensure claret is as prophylactic as possible:

Each claret donor is an unpaid volunteer whose wellness is advisedly checked
Each donor is asked a gear up of questions to help rule out anyone who may pass 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 blood donation that fails the test is discarded.

The nearly common problem we run into with blood transfusions in babies is when there are bug with the IV line. If this occurs, there can be temporary swelling or bruising effectually the Four site.

Occasionally, your baby'due south lung function may become worse during, or later, a transfusion. This tin can be due to the additional fluid volume, and handling with medication may help. A much less common trouble chosen transfusion-related lung injury has been reported in older patients and it may occur, rarely, in babies.

What happens when my babe has a blood transfusion?

Information technology is critical to ensure your infant receives the right claret, and then clinical staff will follow strict checking procedures. Your baby must clothing an identification ring. Clinical staff will bank check your baby's full name and date of nativity on the identification band and the blood pack to ensure that your baby receives the correct 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 claret transfusion?

Virtually babies experience no differently during their transfusion. A blood transfusion is usually given over iii to four hours. Your infant volition be carefully monitored during and later on the transfusion. Please speak to the staff if y'all have any concerns virtually your babe.

Can my baby receive a blood transfusion without my consent?

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

What if I have other worries most the blood transfusion?

Delight speak to your baby'southward physician or nurse most any concerns you may have, no matter how trivial you call back they may be.

Tin I donate my blood to my child?

There are reasons why this is strongly discouraged. The risk of blood from unrelated donors provided past the Australian Cherry-red Cantankerous Blood Service (ARCBS) is already extremely low. At that place are also increased risks of various transfusion reactions with blood from relatives and information technology is better to avoid these where possible. The ARCBS no longer supports directed donations from relatives except in the case of very rare claret group compatibility bug.

Further data

If you are interested in finding out more than about blood transfusions please visit: world wide web.transfusion.com.au

When looking at this, or other websites, please keep in mind that the types of transfusion reactions (east.g. fevers or chills) that occur in some adults during claret transfusion are very rare in babies. If a babe does experience these problems, clinical staff will urgently assess the situation.

Please speak to your baby'due south medico or nurse if you notwithstanding take any questions after reading this brochure.

How can I become a blood donor?

If you would like to help others by becoming a blood donor, please phone call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au

Acknowledgements

This information sheet has been adapted for parents of babies in Mater Mothers' Neonatal Critical Care Unit, from the Australian and New Zealand Gild of Blood Transfusion'south 'Children receiving a blood transfusion: a parent'south guide'.

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

Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-430187

Terminal modified 16/12/2019.
Consumers were consulted in the evolution of this patient information.
Terminal consumer engagement date: 25/11/2019

For farther translated health data, you can visit healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ supported past the Victorian Section of Health 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