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Background Blood is essential for saving lives, particularly in emergencies. However, many patients, especially in developing countries face delays in accessing safe blood due to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient blood banks, poorly equipped laboratories, unreliable transportation systems, low donation rates driven by cultural beliefs, fear, and misconceptions, poor blood donor recruitment and retention, economic constraints, and a general lack of awareness and education about blood donation. Ensuring safe transfusions requires advanced technology and promoting healthy, voluntary donations. Donor selection is crucial for safety, preventing adverse reactions through proper criteria and infection screenings. Donor deferrals can discourage donors and hinder recruitment, so identifying and addressing deferral causes is vital. Blood centers must balance quality and quantity by using thorough donor assessments. Efforts should focus on both recruiting new donors and retaining deferred ones to ensure a stable blood supply. Aim The aim of the study is to evaluate and analyze the patterns and causes of blood donor deferrals in a tertiary care hospital. The objectives are to determine the incidence and reasons for blood donor deferrals. Materials and methods A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted for 36 months from May 2021 to May 2024. A simple random sampling method was used to select the blood donors who reported for donation. Data was obtained from records maintained by the blood center. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the demographics of the blood donors, including deferral rates among males and females, and the frequency of temporary and permanent deferrals. A Chi-square test was done to find the association between gender and deferral rates in blood donation. This analysis aimed to explore gender variations and underlying health status differences between male and female donors, as these can influence deferral rates. Results From May 2021 to May 2024, 17,082 people registered to donate blood at the Blood Centre, Department of Transfusion Medicine. Out of these, 1,000 donors, or 5.85%, were deferred. The majority of donors were males 16,638, with only 444 females. Most deferrals (76.4%) were temporary, often due to low hemoglobin levels or recent alcohol intake. Permanent deferrals (23.6%) were usually due to uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes. A significant association was found between gender and type of deferral among participants (p < 0.05). Conclusion This cross-sectional retrospective study on blood donor deferral patterns in a tertiary care hospital highlights key reasons such as low hemoglobin, recent alcohol intake, hypertension, and diabetes. To improve donor eligibility and retention, targeted strategies including enhanced education and community engagement are essential. These efforts will strengthen blood transfusion services and support critical healthcare needs effectively.
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Background Blood transfusion services are vital in healthcare, ensuring a steady and safe supply of blood for patients in need. Identifying seropositive blood donors and understanding their response patterns and behaviors are critical for improving the safety and efficacy of blood transfusion practices. Aim Our study aims to determine the response rate and pattern of blood donors who test reactive for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) and to understand the attitudes of reactive blood donors toward post-donation notification, follow-up, and counseling. Materials and methods Our study is retrospective audit analyzing the data record for a period of 24 months from October 2021 to October 2023 in the transfusion medicine department of a tertiary care hospital in southern India. All donations were screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, malaria, and syphilis. Results Of the total 8,276 donations during the study period, 117 (1.41%) were reactive for various TTIs. The highest prevalence was hepatitis B (0.61%), followed by hepatitis C (0.38%), then HIV (0.22%) and syphilis (0.14%). Of all the TTI reactive donors, 82 donors (70%) responded after communication, and the remaining 30% could not be contacted by any mode of communication. The most common reason for non-communication was the fabricated postal address given by the donors. Of the donors approached, 57 (48.7%) reinstated to our blood bank for further counseling and specific treatment. The donor's busy schedule and out-of-city residence were the main reasons for non-compliance with the follow-up protocol. Conclusion Informing donors of their serological status and providing post-donation counseling are crucial elements of blood transfusion protocol. Necessary knowledge about TTIs are to be instilled to the donors during the blood collection procedure. Moreover, its crucial for the donor to provide accurate demographic details aiding follow up and easy access during times of managing blood inventory.
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Hematological malignancies can present with severe complications, including hyperleukocytosis, which demands immediate intervention due to elevated leukocyte counts that increase blood viscosity and cause microcirculatory abnormalities. This case report highlights the critical role of therapeutic leukapheresis in managing a pediatric patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in crisis. A six-year-old male child presented with symptoms of severe hyperleukocytosis, including high-grade fever, respiratory distress, and a significant leukocyte count (555,820/µL). Immediate interventions included intravenous hydration, antibiotics, steroids, and non-invasive ventilation, followed by therapeutic leukapheresis. The leukapheresis procedure successfully reduced the leukocyte count by 81% without any adverse events. Post-procedure treatment with etoposide further decreased the leukocyte count, leading to symptomatic improvement and stabilization of the patient. The patient was later discharged in stable condition and continued receiving induction-phase chemotherapy. This case underscores the efficacy and necessity of leukapheresis as a life-saving adjunctive therapy in pediatric AML crises, demonstrating its role in rapidly reducing leukocyte counts and preventing life-threatening complications.
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The Kidd blood group is clinically significant as Kidd antibodies have the potential to trigger both acute and delayed transfusion reactions, along with hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Here, we have reported a case of HDFN due to Jk-b antibodies. A 31-year-old pregnant female was found to have Jk-b antibodies on screening with the BioRad ID Dia 11-cell panel (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., CA) after her cross-matching results were incompatible. Emergency lower segment caesarian section was done; the baby was non-hydropic at birth with an increase in bilirubin that required high-intensity phototherapy. HDFN resulting from anti-Jk-b incompatibility is rare and tends to present with mild clinical symptoms and a favorable prognosis. However, monitoring of antibody titers is essential to prevent potentially fatal complications. Additionally, antenatal antibody screening should be mandatory for all pregnant women, regardless of their Rh-(D) antigen status, to detect red cell alloimmunization to other clinically significant blood group antigens.
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Aim This study aims to analyze the discard rates and causes of blood and blood component wastage in a hospital transfusion service and identify strategies for improvement. Methodology We conducted a retrospective study reviewing data from the Department of Transfusion Medicine over five years. We calculated discard rates for different blood components and categorized the reasons for discard. Results The overall discard rate was 18%. Platelets were the most commonly discarded component (91.6%), followed by plasma (4.4%) and packed red blood cells (3.8%). Expired shelf life was the most frequent reason for discard (97%), followed by transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) reactivity (2.9%), and bag breakage (0.01%). Conclusions Platelets were the most commonly discarded component, and expiry due to non-utilization was the main cause. Implementing strategies such as improved blood utilization guidelines, staff training, and inventory management can help reduce wastage.
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Chondromalacia patellae (CMP) is a widespread cause of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), which manifests as anterior knee pain and functional limitations. Current treatments frequently fail to give long-term relief, necessitating the exploration of new therapeutic techniques. Recent research has demonstrated the efficacy of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) therapy, which utilizes the regeneration characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and growth factors. We present the case of a 36-year-old male patient with Grade III CMP who was resistant to conservative treatment but was successfully treated with BMAC therapy. Detailed methods for BMAC preparation, such as double centrifugation and growth factor analysis, are presented. At six and 12 weeks after therapy, the patient showed significant improvements in pain and functional results, as well as enhanced levels of growth factors and CD34+ cells in the BMAC. This study provides insights into the regeneration potential of BMAC therapy and highlights its promising role in managing chondral abnormalities. Larger clinical trials and standardization of BMAC preparation procedures are necessary for establishing its effectiveness and consistency as a standard treatment approach for CMP.