Prevalence of Post Donation Adverse Donor Reactions in a Medical College Hospital at Dhaka

Abstract

Objectives: Adequate blood supply that must be safe depends on healthy and also with altruistic volunteers who are inclined to donate blood regardless of  the potential risk of discomfort or adverse reactions. Blood donation has an tremendous safety record and most of the donors have a good experience or only a mild symptoms after donation. Although even a very low rate of reactions may pessimistic affect their inclination to donate again. The main aim of our study was to calculate the  adverse donor reactions among the blood donors in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study between January to December of 2018  in Department of Transfusion Medicine of Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Knowledgeable medical attendants drew blood from selected donors under guidance of a Medical Officer. All donors were observed during and after the procedure of blood donation for any adverse effect up to 30 minutes. Donors were asked to contact the department if they fill any adverse reaction afterwards.

Results: A total of 10056 blood donors were registered to donate blood and of them 9453 (94.004%) were eligible for donation. Among 9453 eligible donors a total of 360 (3.8%) donors experienced adverse reactions. The incidence was 1 in every 27 donations. Majority of donors 101 (28.05%) who experienced adverse effect is of age group of 18-25 years with female predominance 192 (53.33%). Among the 360 donors 151(41.94%) developed vasovagal reactions, 83(23.05%) felt nauseated or vomited, 51(14.1%) hyperventilated, 25 (6.94%) cope with delayed syncope, 22 (6.11%) felt dizziness, 18 (5%) formed a hematoma around site of needle prick and 10 (2.77%) others developed problems with blood flow. No delayed donor reactions were recorded. First time donors have higher frequency 479 (79.43%) of adverse reactions than repeat donors.

Conclusion: The prevalence was reasonably low in this study of tertiary center. But still it is a potential problem for the donors, especially the new donors. All donors should be briefed prior to donation about the probable side effects of donation. Donation related adverse reactions are often a multifactorial process and can further be minimized by using previous knowledge to prevent it. Donors with adverse effects must be encouraged for future donations along with donor education.