Blood Transfusion (Child): Overview

Blood loss can happen if your child has an injury, surgery, or an illness that affects how many blood cells they have. Blood is made up of several different parts (blood components). Your child may receive some or all of these blood components through a transfusion through an IV (intravenous) line. Blood for transfusion is donated from another person (donor). Strict measures are taken to make sure that donated blood is safe before it’s given to your child. Your child’s healthcare provider will discuss your child’s condition with you and answer your questions.

The parts of blood

Blood can be separated into different parts that perform special roles in the body. These parts include:

• Red blood cells (RBC), which carry oxygen throughout the body

• Platelets, which help stop bleeding

• Plasma (the liquid part of blood), which carries red blood cells and platelets (and white blood cells) throughout the body. Plasma also contains proteins like clotting factors that help stop bleeding. 

  Blood can be separated into three parts, which include plasma, platelets, and red blood cells.

Are blood transfusions safe?

Donors provide the blood used for transfusions. To make sure that blood is safe:

• The health and medical history of each donor is carefully screened. If a person is considered high-risk for infection or problems, they aren't accepted as a blood donor.

• All donated blood is tested for infections such as hepatitis, syphilis, West Nile virus, human T-lymphotropic virus, bacteria, and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). If the tested blood is found to be unsafe, it is not used for transfusion and not given to another person. 

• Blood is classified into four general types: A, B, AB, and O. Blood also has Rh types: positive (+) and negative (-). Your child must only receive blood products that are compatible with their blood type. A sample of your child’s blood is tested for compatibility with donated blood. This is done before blood products are prepared for a transfusion.

What is directed donation?

A child may need a blood transfusion during a planned surgery. Family and friends can have their blood tested for compatibility and donate blood (called directed donation) for a child before the surgery. This needs to be done at least 7 day(s) in advance. This is because the blood must be tested for safety, just as blood from volunteer donors is tested. Blood from directed donors has not been shown to be safer than blood from volunteer donors. Talk with your child's healthcare provider about directed donation.

How is a blood transfusion done?

A blood transfusion takes place in a blood center, infusion center, hospital room, or operating room. Your child’s healthcare provider will discuss the blood transfusion with you before it’s done. You’ll need to give permission for the blood transfusion by signing a consent form:

• Several safety checks are performed before the transfusion is started. Your child's healthcare provider confirms your child’s identity. They also confirm that they have the correct blood product(s) for your child.

• An intravenous (IV) line is placed in a vein if your child does not already have an IV. This may cause your child some brief discomfort. Your child may be given medicines before the transfusion to prevent transfusion reactions. 

• The blood product comes in a plastic bag that is hung on an IV pole. The blood product flows from the bag into your child’s IV line. The IV line may be connected to a pump, which controls the transfusion rate. Your child may receive more than one kind of blood product through the IV.

• Your child’s vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) are checked throughout the transfusion. This is to make sure your child is not having a reaction to the blood product.

• How long the transfusion takes to completely infuse depends on the type of blood product, the amount in the bag, and how well your child tolerates the transfusion.

• The IV line may be removed once the transfusion is complete.

Possible risks and complications of a blood transfusion

Most transfusions are problem-free. But reactions may happen. Most reactions are mild. In rare cases, serious and life-threatening reactions occur. These can happen within seconds or minutes after the transfusion is started. Or even a week to a few months after the transfusion. The most common reactions from blood transfusions are mild allergic reaction and fever. Call the healthcare provider right away or get medical care right away if your child has any of the following signs and symptoms during or after a transfusion. In some cases, you may be advised to go to the nearest emergency room.