The risk that a blood transfusion will no different during their blood A blood transfusion is giving blood make your child unwell is very low. transfusion, but some may develop a products such as red cells, plasma or One of the most important ways of slight fever, chills or a rash. These are platelets through a small tube into your ensuring a safe transfusion is to make usually due to a mild reaction and are vein. sure your child easily treated with medication or by child’s receives the giving the blood more slowly. Your child right blood. To will be closely monitored throughout Red cells: carry oxygen around the ensure this their transfusion to check for any signs body. happens of a reaction. Plasma: straw coloured liquid, staff will check Severe transfusion reactions are containing proteins that help blood to your extremely rare. If you have concerns clot. about your child, during or any time Platelets: straw coloured cells, help identity on their ID band, both child’s after transfusion, inform your blood to clot. when they take blood samples and child’s before the transfusion is given. If you nurse or doctor immediately. are with your child, you may also be asked to confirm their full name and date of birth. Please remind the nurse or doctor to ask you this if they forget to do so. The possibility of getting an infection Blood Vesse from a blood transfusion is very low: All donors are voluntary and unpaid. Before giving blood, all donors are Why might my child need a carefully tested must answer blood transfusion? detailed questions about their general health and risk factors for Some reasons may include: disease. To replace blood lost Risk of getting a virus from blood during surgery. transfusion in Ireland: Anaemia - shortage of red blood HIV:1 chance in 15 million cells, resulting in the body not Hepatitis C:1 chance in15.3million getting enough oxygen. Hepatitis B:1 chance in 2.2 million Blood disorders. their blood transfusion ? transfusion ? Most infants and children will feel
A blood transfusion is giving blood products such as red cells, plasma or platelets through a small tube into your child’s vein. Red cells: carry oxygen around the body. Plasma: straw coloured liquid, containing proteins that help blood to clot. Platelets: straw coloured cells, help blood to clot. Blood Vesse Why might my child need a blood transfusion? Some reasons may include: To replace blood lost during surgery. Anaemia - shortage of red blood cells, resulting in the body not getting enough oxygen. Blood disorders. transfusion ? The risk that a blood transfusion will make your child unwell is very low. One of the most important ways of ensuring a safe transfusion is to make sure your child receives the right blood. To ensure this happens staff will check your child’s identity on their ID band, both when they take blood samples and before the transfusion is given. If you are with your child, you may also be asked to confirm their full name and date of birth. Please remind the nurse or doctor to ask you this if they forget to do so. The possibility of getting an infection from a blood transfusion is very low: All donors are voluntary and unpaid. Before giving blood, all donors are carefully tested must answer detailed questions about their general health and risk factors for disease. Risk of getting a virus from blood transfusion in Ireland: HIV:1 chance in 15 million Hepatitis C:1 chance in15.3million Hepatitis B:1 chance in 2.2 million their blood transfusion ? Most infants and children will feel no different during their blood transfusion, but some may develop a slight fever, chills or a rash. These are usually due to a mild reaction and are easily treated with medication or by giving the blood more slowly. Your child will be closely monitored throughout their transfusion to check for any signs of a reaction. Severe transfusion reactions are extremely rare. If you have concerns about your child, during or any time after transfusion, inform your child’s nurse or doctor immediately.
PHGD002-Blood-Transfusion-Parents-Word-Document-Version-3.docx