Hemopure transfusion in a child with severe anemia.
A 23-month-old girl presented with heart failure from extremely severe sickle cell anemia. The family refused blood transfusion on religious grounds (Jehovah's Witness). Alternative options acceptable to this religion, such as iron, erythropoietin, or folic acid were rejected as useless in the particular situation of the child. The patient was transfused with Hemopure, a product that consists of polymerized bovine hemoglobin. This is the first case reported in the literature of a child transfused, in an emergency situation, with this product.
Stefan
D C
DC
Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Western Cape Province, South Africa. cs@sun.ac.za
Uys
R
R
Wessels
G
G
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D001802:Blood Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D033221:Jehovah's Witnesses / Q000523:psychology; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012067:Religion; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001802:Blood Substitutes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011108:Polymers; C080663:polymerized bovine hemoglobin