A comparison of intraperitoneal and intravenous blood transfusion in a child with congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia diagnosed in infancy

Abstract

A case of congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type I, diagnosed at 6 weeks, is described. The case is only the second reported as having been diagnosed in infancy and is an unusually severe example of the disease. Thirty-five blood transfusions have been required in the first 5 years of life, 18 intravenous and 17 intraperitoneal. These two routes of administration have been compared on the basis of time elapsing between transfusions. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two methods. This confirms the usefulness of intraperitoneal blood transfusion in infants and young children particularly those with a recurring requirement for blood replacement.