Blood Loss & Transfusions

Blood Loss and Transfusions

Blood loss can be significant in surgeries for craniostenosis, and blood transfusions are needed in about 50% of these surgeries. In some places, directed donation of blood from a parent is allowed. It is important to inquire about this right away if you want this option because a lot of testing must be done.

A six month old baby might have about 600cc's of blood in his whole body. Transfusions to babies this age would usually be of 200cc's or less. Our son, who was about 17 pounds at 5 ½ months of age received 200cc's, and our daughter, who was about 13 pounds at 3 ½ months of age received 110cc's. An adult normally donates 500cc's (1 unit) of blood in a session.

In some cases, a blood transfusion may be required during the surgery. This is fairly rare, but if it happens, it can add an hour or more to the surgery time. In most cases where transfusions are required, they will be done somewhere in the first 24 hours following surgery. Your baby's vital signs will be monitored frequently during this time to assess the need. Small blood samples may also be taken to confirm the need. The transfusion takes about an hour or more. During this time and the hours following it, your baby's vital signs will be monitored very closely to watch for signs of rejection. Rejection is very rare, but can happen even with blood donated from a parent.

Also very rare is a need for a second transfusion. The IV will probably be left attached to the baby until this chance is ruled out.

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