Hello everybody !

If a donor has received a B12 injection for asymptomatic decrease in his serum B12 level ,or as a supplement , is he deferred ? for how long ?

Good question . . . I've seen a pt expire after getting a B12 shot at their MD's office - massive hemolysis - you could see the bacteria under the scope when doing the xm.

Good question . . . I've seen a pt expire after getting a B12 shot at their MD's office - massive hemolysis - you could see the bacteria under the scope when doing the xm.

What?! excuse me, please explain...

Apparently the needle or concoction was not sterile . . . bacillus species (I think) . . . you could not determine the serum/cell interface due to the massive in vivo hemolysis . . . AND she was a hospital employee on top of that.

Wow ...it's serious !!! so for how long should we deffer the donation ? I've read that donors receiving ferrous injections should be deferred for six months , but didn't know the cause of that ... and couldn't find an answer for deferral of B12 injection recipient !!

Edited January 26, 201213 yr by Sarah Shawash

You could always call the Red Cross or UBS to see what their policy on that is . . .

Thank you ! Isn't there a different way to contact the red cross? electronically for example? I am out of the states and contacting electronically is much easier for me, isn't there an e-address ?

Edited January 26, 201213 yr by Sarah Shawash

Oh .. am done !

UBS does not defer donors who have received B12 injections

It is not on the AABB Univ. Donor Questionnaire.

What is the rational?

Hello everybody !

If a donor has received a B12 injection for asymptomatic decrease in his serum B12 level ,or as a supplement , is he deferred ? for how long ?

I can't see a reason why you would defer the donor for any period of time.

You would defer a donor after an iron injection to protect the donor. It's not a risk to the patient... but if you're treating a patient for anemia (the only reason for an iron injection I can think of) it wouldn't make sense to remove blood and "undo" your work.

As for your patient fatality from the B-12 injection. SHOCKING!!

But, let's point out it was the injection practice that caused the fatality, not the B-12.

If you're concerned, you could defer for 24 hours to make sure there are no signs/symptoms of infection from the injection.

It is not on the AABB Univ. Donor Questionnaire.

What is the rational?

this what made me ask to start with . Also, as there is always a risk of infection for any penetrating procedure there should be a period for deferral to stay on the track of the safety of blood i think .

the red cross defers for one week after the completion of the a B12 injection course.

We would not defer either as long as it was a sterile injection.