As of November 2023 NHS Blood and Transplant service (NHSBT) removed the requirement for fresh blood (<10 days old) used for transfusions for sickle cell, thalassemia and rare inherited anaemia patients including DBAS.
According to the NHSBT statement: https://hospital.blood.co.uk/clinical-guidelines/nhsbt-clinical-guidelines/
However, there is in fact no evidence to show that older red cells are equivalent to younger red cells. There is simply a lack of evidence to support their decision.
We know that the age of blood DOES have an impact on energy levels and the time between transfusions.
DBAS UK is keen to support all their transfused patients in trying to access fresh blood despite the change in NHSBT-mandated requirements.
Consequently, DBAS UK and our amazing “clinical ambassador”, Dr Noémi Roy (Haematology consultant) have produced a letter for parents / patients to present to your clinical team requesting that they continue giving red cells <10 days old if at all possible. Although they are not obliged to do this, many clinical teams across the UK have agreed with our request.
Dr Roy and DBAS UK are working with other charities (Congenital Anaemia Network and UKTS) and HaemSTAR to try to gather data on the impact of old vs young red cells to reverse the NHSBT decision. Watch this space.
Please get in touch and let us how this works out for you / your child.
