A prospective observational study on effects of fever on red cell transfusion outcome

The effects of fever on red cell transfusions are not well documented. In this pilot study, we have compared the outcome of red-blood-cell transfusions in haematologic patients with and without fever. The results indicate that haemoglobin increment per unit is significantly lower in febrile patients receiving red cell transfusions than in patients without fever. These findings are in line with earlier findings in preclinical studies. Larger studies are necessary to confirm our results, and laboratory studies should be conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms.