Addictions,  Autoimmune and Rare Diseases

Women’s Donated Plasma Improves Patients’ Prognosis.

The donation of blood and the use of blood products play a crucial role in healthcare, especially during urgent medical interventions. However, the quality and safety of plasma derived from donors, particularly female donors, is a continuously debated topic. The collaboration between hospitals and blood donation centers aims to provide the best possible care for patients while also considering potential risks.

Some experts believe that antibodies present in the blood of female donors may be potentially hazardous, especially in women who have already given birth. These antibodies can cause lung damage that may manifest during blood transfusions. As a result, blood donation centers have decided not to release plasma derived from female blood to hospitals in order to minimize the risk of complications.

The discourse and research surrounding this topic continue, as safe and effective blood transfusions are essential for patients. Recent studies aim to compare blood products from female and male donors, with particular attention to heart surgeries, where blood transfusion is often indispensable.

Risks of Blood from Female Donors

In recent years, the risks associated with the use of plasma derived from female donors’ blood have gained increasing attention. Research has established that during pregnancy, women can develop antibodies in their blood that may adversely affect blood transfusions. These antibodies are produced against the fetus, and the more pregnancies a woman undergoes, the higher the concentration of these antibodies.

Although the lung damage caused by these antibodies is relatively rare, the professional community’s concerns about minimizing risks should be taken into account. Experts believe that limiting the use of blood products from female donors is justified, as the occurrence of lung damage can lead to serious problems in some cases.

Considering these risks, blood donation centers have decided that plasma derived from female donors’ blood will not be available to hospitals. This decision serves not only to ensure patient safety but also aims to reduce concerns surrounding blood transfusions. However, the prohibition on the use of blood from female donors is not without controversy, and many professionals argue that a scientifically-based analysis of research is essential for making the right decisions.

Results of Recent Research

The goal of recent research is to shed light on whether blood from female donors indeed poses a greater risk during heart surgeries. A significant study analyzed data from over a thousand surgeries to determine if there is a difference in the use of blood from female and male donors. Researchers examined the safety of heart surgeries and sought to answer whether the use of plasma derived from female donors’ blood truly has more severe consequences.

The results were surprising. Researchers concluded that the occurrence of lung damage in cases involving plasma derived from female donors’ blood was actually lower than in cases involving male donors. The mortality rate after heart surgeries also proved to be more favorable with the use of female blood plasma. While the mortality rate was significantly higher with the use of male donors’ blood, it was lower when using products derived from female donors’ blood.

These findings sparked lively debate among experts, as contrary to previous opinions, the use of blood from female donors does not appear to be as risky as once thought. However, it is important to emphasize that the research specifically pertained to heart surgeries and does not necessarily represent all cases of blood transfusions. Further research is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the safety of blood products.