TRANSFUSION REACTIONS: AFMC EXPERIENCE

Transfusions of blood and its components are useful and lifesaving. Adverse effects occur during or after transfusion, called hazards or complications of blood transfusion. Complications/hazards of various types which occurred in the patients following transfusion of blood/blood components in Armed Forces Hospitals of Pune-Kirkee complex were analysed with relevant investigations. Out of a total number of 13,039 transfusions of blood and blood components from 01 June 1995 to 31 July 1997, there were 104 (0.8%) adverse reactions. Non haemolytic febrile transfusion reaction was the commonest seen in 73 (70.2%) transfusions, followed by allergic reactions in 19 (18.3%) cases. Nonspecific reactions were seen in 11 (10.6%). One haemolytic transfusion reaction occurred due to wrong labelling of blood sample received from the ward for compatibility testing. There were no fatalities.