Transfusing maternal blood to her newborn baby-irrespective of ABO mismatch

Abstract

Background: Though blood transfusions are the common procedures in pediatric patients, transfusion reactions are rare in children. Though in adults, uncross-matched ABO group-specific blood is used in emergencies, there are no such reports in neonates and children. There are stray case reports about transfusing maternal blood for her baby and maternal blood is de facto compatible regardless of an ABO mismatch

Objective: Confirming our previous hypothesis that maternal blood is compatible with her baby’s blood; and maternal blood can be used for transfusion in her newborn baby irrespective of ABO match/ mismatch.

Design: Prospective interventional study.

Setting and Participants: Fifty-one mother–baby pairs were recruited attending Pediatric Unit of our Community Hospital from 15 July 2013 to 13 July 2015. After obtaining consent from the parents, all the required lab tests were done. Since all lab reports were favourable; these babies qualified for transfusion of maternal blood.

Interventions: Fifty-one sick newborns were transfused fresh whole maternal blood as a part of treatment; irrespective of mother–baby ABO match or mismatch.

Results: All babies tolerated maternal blood well and showed significant and rapid improvement. Minimum period of observation was from a minimum of 32 to a maximum of 56 months. All the babies showed good growth and development.

Conclusion: By observing a particular protocol and procedural techniques, mother’s blood may be used for transfusion in her own baby in neonatal period, irrespective of ABO mismatch.

Significance: This is probably the largest series in world literature of 51 newborns being transfused maternal blood either ABO match or mismatch.

Keywords:

• ABO mismatch
• bidirectional leakage of cells
• bidirectional tolerance
• mother as blood donor
• transfusion compatibility

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Milind Ranadive [Chief Medical Officer of Primary Health center Saphale Palghar 401102–State Government of Maharashtra, India] for administrative support and Dr. Rajendra Chavan- In charge of Maharashtra Blood Bank Palghar West 401404, for Technical Support. We also thank Mrs. Samruddhi S G -Administrative Officer of Rajhans Hospital.

Disclosure statement

None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare. None of the authors have any financial disclosures to make.