Giving blood is an act of altruism that supports healthcare institutions and often benefits patients at their most vulnerable. This is especially true for infants with hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), especially if they have a rare blood type that may be difficult to source.
Blood banks are often looking for ways to increase their stock of blood, including rare blood types, so that they can be ready during an emergency.
Intrauterine transfusions
A fundamental principle of supply and demand drives the need for blood donations in HDFN. A fetus with HDFN, and later a newborn affected by this condition, are likely to require blood transfusions, and the blood is sourced from blood banks, which people donate to voluntarily.
This is because HDFN is a disorder in which the maternal antibodies attack fetal red blood cells, causing their depletion. A lack of red blood cells can cause anemia, which may affect fetal growth.
Read more about HDFN testing and diagnosis
Hence, one of the ways in which doctors treat HDFN during pregnancy is by administering intrauterine transfusions, which are basically the infusion of blood products to the fetus. This minimizes complications associated with low red blood cells. This procedure is generally safe and effective. However, it can only be carried out if there is enough blood available in the blood bank.
Exchange transfusions
After birth, newborns affected by HDFN are generally administered exchange transfusions. In simple terms, this means exchanging the patient’s blood with the donor blood. In HDFN, the patient’s blood lacks red blood cells, while the (healthy) donor blood is typically rich in red blood cells.
The goal of this treatment is simple: to increase the number of red blood cells in the recipient body so that the risks associated with anemia (a lack of red blood cells) are reduced. This can prevent severe complications, such as brain damage and heart failure.
Rare blood types
Sometimes, patients require very specific rare blood types that may be in short supply. The good news is, the more people participate in blood donation drives, the higher the chance that someone with a rare blood type would participate. Rare blood types are nothing short of life-saving for patients who truly need them.
By choosing to donate blood, you are helping both mother and child recover at a very delicate, vulnerable moment in their lives. It is indeed a good deed with long-lasting positive repercussions.
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