Questions about transfusions

Hi all,
I have 3 questions, hoping someone here can help with the answers.

1. How much of an increase is there in ferritin levels after a transfusion?
2. How long does the effect of the transfusion generally last?
3. How many transfusions a month do members here receive?

Hi Sammytorronto,

1. It's not easy to calculate increase in S. Ferritin level after a Ts. But every Tx add apprx. 200-250mg iron to body. For ease u can calculate like 1gm Desferal remove THEORITICALLY  85 mg iron, L1 500 mg remove 4-7 mg iron.

2 & 3 .It depend on spleen function , size etc. Generally requiremt is 2 -4 Tx monthly.
Accurately one need RBC upto 20ml/kg/month  or 225ml/kg/year.

Hi all,
I have 3 questions, hoping someone here can help with the answers.

1. How much of an increase is there in ferritin levels after a transfusion?
2. How long does the effect of the transfusion generally last?
3. How many transfusions a month do members here receive?

My son is 6 years old (44 pounds). He is transfused every 21 days. Hemoglobin at 21 days is between 9.8 and 10.6.
Nicole

Dear Andy,

What is the formula used when calculating the amount of blood that a patient receives in order to maintain an acceptable Hb level ?

Also, what is the difference between Leukocyte depleted and Leukocyte poor blood ?

Thank you and Best regards,
Shastri & Alicia.

The table at http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,4930.msg47039.html#msg47039  shows the formula for how much to transfuse.

Leukocyte depleted and poor are the same thing.

Hello Andy,

Thank you. Much appreciated.

Regards.

Hi All,

Today while Blood transfusion to my daughter, she got eyes infection (her eyes Swelling). is it normal though doctor gave her injection and  then it got normal after 4-6 hour but is it normal or happening first time only with my child only.

Regards
Sushil Thakur

Sushil,
we have not experienced that one...but during 1st transfusion my daughter developed red rashes and they had to stop transfusion. from that time onward, my daughter gets a dose of benadryl (or atarex (spelling??)) and we have not seen any reaction after that. does she take any antihistamine before transfusion? may be that will help.

Dear Bosonian,

no she doesnt take any antihistamine before transfusion however she was having skin allergy few days back for which we were giving her medicine but it was around one week back before transfusion. this is first time ever happen to my child but i think i should take more caution as it looks like some allergy to her.

Regards
Sushil Thakur

Sushil,

After reading your comment, I also feel that this may not be related to the transfusion as she was having skin allergy before transfusion. You probably need to be investigate to figure out what is causing the allergy. Good luck being an investigator:)