Blood Component as a Gamechanger

Blood donation is a vital process that can save lives and improve health outcomes for those in need. By donating blood, you are contributing to a critical supply that hospitals and clinics rely on to treat patients every day. From knowing what to eat before your donation to understanding the importance of hydration and rest, being informed about the process can make a significant difference. Whether you're a first-time donor or a regular contributor, understanding the dos and don'ts of blood donation can help ensure a safe and positive experience for both the donor and the recipient.

MAJOR TRAUMA

Trauma refers to "any injury caused to the body". The injury may be caused due to any reasons like road accidents, fires, burns, falls, acts of violence. Road Traffic Accidents are the leading cause of trauma in India. A total number of 4,61,312 road accidents have been reported by Police Departments of States and Union Territories (UTs) in the country during the year 2022, claiming 1,68,491 lives and causing injuries to 4,43,366 persons. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), about 4,13,457 people died in road accidents in India in 2015. These all cases require blood transfusion to stop blood loss and improve clotting parameters.

SURGERY

The Lancet Commission for Global Surgery estimates that 5,000 surgeries are required to meet the surgical burden of disease for 1,00,000 people in low and middle income countries, like India. C-section is the most performed surgery in India out of the 2 crores that were conducted in the year 2019-20. Blood transfusion helps in replacement of blood lost due to surgery by making up for the blood loss.

HEMORRHAGE

Hemorrhagerefers to loss of blood from damaged blood vessels. A hemorrhagemay be internal or external, and usually involves a lot of bleeding in a short time. There are three main types of hemorrhage: arterial, venous, and capillary. Blood transfusion with donated blood in hemorrhageincreases cell mass and blood volume in the patient's body.

MASSIVE TRANSFUSION

Massive transfusions are unplanned and require the processing and delivery of large amounts of blood products rapidly for a sustained period of time. Massive blood loss can happen in various situations like polytrauma, major surgeries, gastrointestinal bleeds, obstetric hemorrhage, etc.

RAPID CORRECTION OF ANEMIA

India is home to one-quarter of patients with severe anemia. Blood transfusion is required for patients who are actively bleeding and for patients with a severe and symptomatic anemia.  Transfusions are given to replace the deficient red blood cells in the body, helps in keeping oxygen moving through the blood and also helps in lowering hemoglobinlevel.

COAGULOPATHY

Coagulopathy leads to platelet dysfunction in the body that is a major cause for bleeding in patients. It is caused by reduced levels or absence of blood-clotting proteins, known as clotting factors or coagulation factors.  Blood transfusions in coagulopathy helps the blood clot or prevent the blood from clotting and is also used to correct coagulation factor deficiencies.

ACUTE BLOOD LOSS

Acute blood loss leads to anaemia as their is loss of red blood cells and depletion of iron because large volume of blood loss.   Acute blood loss can be treated with a blood transfusion, to help the body build new blood cells.

HEMOLYSIS

Hemolysis is a process in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. The treatment for Hemolysis includes blood transfusions to increase the number of cells in the body and improve the oxygen carrying capacity of blood

NEONATAL TRANSFUSION

Neonatal transfusion is used in the treatment of severe hyperbilirubinemiaor anemiain babies with HDFN. A child requires a blood transfusion in conditions like sudden loss of blood, low hemoglobinbefore, during, or after surgery and severe heart or lung disease. The premature or critically ill neonates who develop anemiaor iron deficiency are often given many blood transfusions to optimizeoxygen

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer. It is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body and since cancer cells grow and multiply quickly in the body, chemotherapy is used for cancer treatments. The number of cancer cases in India is estimated to be 13.9 lakh in 2020 and may increase to 15.7 lakh by 2025, with its prevalence being marginally higher among women. Patient receiving chemotherapy have decreased ability to produce new blood cells and are not able to replace cells that have been destroyed. To compensate for this side effect of chemotherapy transfusion of red cells or platelets or whole blood may be needed.