Transfusion Information
The trauma and transfusion communities share a deep commitment to preventing unnecessary deaths caused by HDFN. Alloimmunization is a risk with any transfusion, even with O negative blood. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests that administering whole blood can improve survival benefits in traumatic hemorrhage cases. However, due to supply constraints, O negative blood products are often scarce, leading some US trauma centers to exclusively use O positive whole blood, regardless of blood type.
Rh negative women who receive Rh positive blood products during trauma resuscitation are at risk of developing Anti-D antibodies, which could affect future pregnancies. We believe strategies should be implemented to reduce the risks of HDFN in future pregnancies, such as early antibody screening before pregnancy after transfusion. Please utilize the below resources for patients who have been transfused to educate them on the risks of exposure to blood products as well as alloimmunization in the chance they do create antibodies.
