Exchange transfusion

Expectations after surgery:

Without treatment , the conditions necessitating an exchange transfusion could cause severe retardation or death. The exchange transfusion itself does carry considerable risk.. Rh incompatibility used to be the leading condition necessitating exchange transfusion. With prevention of Rh disease, polycythemia of the newborn has become the leading reason for exchange transfusion. Although exchange transfusions carry high risk the majority are successful in improving the infant's condition.

Convalescence:

The infant may need to be monitored for several days in the hospital after the transfusion.

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial