What is a blood transfusion for children?
Blood transfusion is a medical treatment to replace the blood or parts of blood that your child's body has lost. The blood goes through a tube from a bag to an intravenous (I.V.) catheter and into your child's vein.
Your child may need a blood transfusion after losing blood from an injury, a major surgery, an illness that causes bleeding, or an illness that destroys blood cells.
Transfusions are also used to give your child the parts of blood. These may include platelets, plasma, or substances that cause clotting. These may be needed if your child's body needs to fight an illness or stop bleeding.
Why is a blood transfusion done?
Transfusions are done to treat blood loss. They are also used to give your body the parts of blood (called components) that your body can't make for itself. You may need blood or components of blood if you have an injury or a major surgery. You may also need a transfusion if you have an illness that destroys a component of the blood like red blood cells or platelets.
In many cases, you are just given the blood component you need most. For example, you may be given platelets to help your blood clot. Or you might be given red blood cells if you have anemia.
How is a blood transfusion done?
Before the transfusion, you'll have a blood type test. Then your doctor will order blood that's a match with your blood type. This blood may be retested in the hospital lab to confirm the type. A sample of your blood is then mixed with a sample of the blood you will receive to make sure that it won't cause a problem.
Before starting the transfusion, a doctor or nurse will look at the label on the bag of blood. They will compare the label with the blood type on your medical record.
To receive the transfusion, you will have an intravenous (I.V.) catheter inserted into a vein. A tube connects the catheter to the bag with the blood. The transfused blood flows slowly into your vein. A doctor or nurse will check you several times during the transfusion to watch for problems.
Blood transfusions in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has severe trouble breathing. (Your child can't talk at all.) Young children may have flared nostrils, and their belly moves in and out with every breath.
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness) or is very hard to wake up.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse trouble breathing.
- Your child is dizzy or lightheaded or seems like they may faint.
- Your child has a fever or chills.
- Your child has chest pain, back pain, or pain in the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back.
- Your child has blood in their urine.
- Your child has abnormal bleeding, such as:
- Nosebleeds.
- New bleeding or oozing at an intravenous (I.V.) or blood draw site.
- Your child has little to no urine when they try to urinate.
- Your child has belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Your child has signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling, or a new rash.
- Your child has signs of an infection at the transfusion site, such as redness, swelling, pain, bleeding, or pus.
- Your child seems weaker or more tired than usual.
- Your child has a yellow tint (jaundice) to their skin or the whites of the eyes.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child has any problems.
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