Transfusion Indications

Indications of Blood Transfusion

There are mainly two indications for transfusion of blood: firstly, when the volume of blood within the circulation system of the patient is less than that required to sustain life and, secondly, when the red blood cells are deficient either in quantity or quality. If we have insufficient red cells, or if our red cells are abnormal, there will not be enough haemoglobin to maintain the body efficiently and we are then said to be anaemic.

Blood loss through accident, surgery, or haemorrhage at childbirth, or from such a condition as the bleeding of a stomach ulcer, may reduce the amount of circulating fluid in our bodies below safe limits and we may die unless this loss is speedily replaced.

Indications of blood transfusion can be summarized  as:

• Anaemia
• Major Surgical Operation
• Accidents resulting in considerable blood loss
• Cancer patients requiring therapy
• Women in childbirth and newborn babies in certain cases
• Patients of hereditary disorders like Haemophilia and Thalassaemia
• Severe burn victims.