Scope of Blood Transfusion in Obstetrics

Abstract

Obstetrics is one of the major areas in medicine requiring blood transfusion. In the UK about 4000 cases of severe obstetric haemorrhage take place each year, of which most of the patients need blood transfusion (RCOG Green top guideline no. 47). On one hand maternal morbidity and even mortality depends on availability of blood and blood products and on the other hand injudicious use of blood and blood products can cause infection, allergic reaction or antibody production in the mother which can have major impact on the present or future pregnancies (Blood transfusion in obstetrics , RCOG Green top guideline no. 47). The most common complication of blood transfusion is error in transfusion. In the UK, SHOT (Serious Hazard Of Transfusion) is informed about all the complications of transfusion. The largest category of untoward incidents reported to SHOT is ‘incorrect blood component transfused’ (71%) and the incidence is on the rise (SHOT in Obstetrics: 2005 Annual Report). In this chapter we will discuss the main indication for blood transfusion in obstetric practice in developed world and the ways to prevent blood transfusion.