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Hi SAA Mom,
It is completely true that transfusions of both platelets and red blood cells can have an impact on the success of a BMT. With every transfusion, a person's immune system recognizes components in the blood products that are foreign and creates antibodies against them. The more transfusions, the more antibodies, the more antibodies, the more potential for complications in BMT. It is also true that, as a result of these antibodies, a platelet transfusion dependent individual can become refractory to platelets in which case no amount of platelet transfusions will effectively raise the platelet count satisfactorily.
But, bear in mind, it does take quite a number of transfusions to get there. My son had roughly 20 red cell transfusions and 55 platelet transfusions and thankfully they had no impact on his course. I have also followed many successful BMT stories where the child or adult had even more and did fine. Plus, in the event that one has developed too many antibodies, one could undergo plasmapheresis or plasma exchange prior to transplant.
Hope this helps,
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Nicole, mom to Evan (20); diagnosed SAA November 2007, hATG mid-November 2007, no response after 6 months, unrelated 9/10 BMT June 2008, no GVH, health completely restored thanks to our beloved donor Bryan from Tennessee.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/evanmacneil
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