Are there risks in receiving a blood transfusion?
Most transfusions are performed without any problems. Mild side effects may include symptoms of an allergic reaction such as headache, fever, itching, or rash. This type of reaction can usually be treated with medication, should your child require additional transfusions. Serious side effects are rare and may include difficulty breathing and sudden drops in blood pressure. Transfusion with blood of the wrong type can be fatal, but this is unlikely to occur because all blood is checked multiple times by medical personnel.
