Exchange Transfusion Practice

[bpkelly]

We are currently requiring a full crossmatch for neonate exchange transfusions and are wondering if everyone else is doing this. Per standards, the crossmatch can be omitted on a neonate as long as antigen negative units are used. The antibody screen can be performed on either the mom or baby. We routinely follow the antigen neg path for a routine neonatal transfusion and question why we are still doing a full crossmatch for the exchanges. Any comments??

[Eagle Eye]

We do not require crossmatch for neonates provided baby's DAT is negative and mother's antibody screen is negative.

FOr exchange transfusion we crossmatch with baby or mother's plasma. We didn't do any exchange transfusion in last 2 year.

[adiescast]

We only require crossmatch if the mother's antibody screen is positive. We do a type and screen on the baby on the initial need for transfusion, but the crossmatch and antibody ID can be done on the mother, if required.

[Karen Olsen]

As long as type O blood is used we only require a crossmatch if the mothers Ab screen in postive. This can be performed with the baby's plasma or mother's plasma. If there is no antibody involved but non-group O blood is being used, we require a crossmatch performed by taking the baby's reverse cells through coombs.