|
Kim,
The concern with platelet transfusions is that the patient will become allo-immunized or refractory to them. Meaning that the patient will no longer gain any benefit from transfusions. This could obviously be very dangerous if the patient could not gain any benefit from a platelet transfusion if they were having serious bleeding.
Requesting single donor platelets bags rather than pooled donors helps to minimize this risk since you are exposing yourself to fewer donors.
I understand that some people become allo immunized quickly and some are lucky enough to endure many platelet transfusions without becoming refractory. My son has had 32 units. So far, so good.
Wendy/mom to Grant
dx 12/4/98 AA
|