BLOOD TRANSFUSION

A blood transfusion refers to the transfer of one person’s blood to another person.

A Blood Transfusion may be necessary when the patient has had severe blood loss or has a low haemoglobin level (red blood cell count). Such situations where a Blood Transfusion is required include:

• Patients who suffer from severe anaemia or are lacking certain components of the blood such as platelets or plasma.
• Patients who suffer from sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia that affect the functions of the red blood cells usually need frequent Blood Transfusions.
• Blood Transfusion may also be a part of the treatment for blood cancers, including leukaemia, especially when the patient is undergoing a stem cell transplant or receiving chemotherapy.
• Severe bleeding as a result of surgery, a severe accident, or childbirth will require a Blood Transfusion to replenish the blood loss.

The type of Blood Transfusion a patient requires is determined by their condition and the specific components lacking in their blood. The three main types of transfusion are:

1. Red Cell Transfusion
2. Platelet Transfusion
3. Plasma Transfusion

• Significant anaemia resulting in breathlessness on slight exertion, chest pain due to angina, and extreme fatigue which affects the routine activities of the patient.
• Severe bleeding such as in road traffic accidents or bleeding from the gut.
• Surgical procedures resulting in high blood loss.

Platelets are required for the blood to clot. When the platelet count is low, there is an increased risk of bleeding. Patients may need a platelet transfusion to prevent excessive blood loss..

The common causes of low platelets include:

• Reduced production of platelets by the bone marrow due to leukaemia or the side effects of chemotherapy
• Viral infections such as dengue fever
• Destruction of platelets due to conditions such as sepsis, Immune Thrombocytopaenic Purpura (ITP) and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).

Plasma transfusions are usually recommended for the replacement of clotting factors to stop or prevent a severe bleeding episode. Some inherited disorders that affect the production or function of clotting factors may also require a plasma transfusion.

There are four common blood groups which are A, B, AB, and O, based on the ABO system of classification. The positive “+” or the negative “-” sign after the letters A, B, AB, or O indicates the presence or absence of the rhesus (RhD) antigen, respectively. It is important to check the blood groups of the recipient and donor before a Blood Transfusion to ensure blood group compatibility to prevent a condition called haemolysis which is when there is destruction of the red blood cells.