Outcome of red blood cell transfusion: ladies first, but perhaps not in donation

Abstract

In efforts investigating mechanisms of the association between blood transfusion and adverse outcome, the research field has increasing attention for the contribution of specific donor characteristics. In particular, there have been reports highlighting the association between increased risks of mortality in (male) recipients of red blood cells derived from female donors (1-3), although this association was not confirmed in a recent large cohort (4).