A systematic multidisciplinary initiative may reduce the need for blood products in patients with abnormally invasive placenta.

INTRODUCTION: The main complication of the abnormally invasive placenta is massive bleeding, with transfusions required frequently. We aim to evaluate the impact of interdisciplinary management on transfusion practices in women with abnormally invasive placenta. METHODOLOGY: Clinical outcomes of women with abnormally invasive placenta treated between 2011 and 2019 were reviewed, including transfusion frequency. Patients divided into three groups: group A (women treated before the introduction of interdisciplinary management), group B (women attended to by a fixed interdisciplinary group), and group C (women with no accreta prenatal diagnosis). RESULTS: Patients with prenatal diagnosis and attended by a fixed interdisciplinary group (group B) required fewer units of red blood cells to be prepared and transfused (median number of units, 0 versus 2 in group A and 3 in group C). CONCLUSION: The participation of an interdisciplinary group, with strict standards for transfusion, reduces the frequency of use of blood substitutes during the care of women with abnormally invasive placenta.

Dangerous shortage of blood banks as an indirect effect of SARS-CoV-2: An obstetrics perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the frequency of blood donation (BD) in a Latin American hospital and how the social isolation policy implemented during the pandemic jeopardizes the quality of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) care due to shortages at blood banks (BB). METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted, lasting for 31 months, including the start of the pandemic. Frequency of BD and the use of obstetric emergency services was observed. RESULTS: A direct relationship was observed between the pandemic and a decrease in BD. Although emergency obstetric visits decreased, the frequency of deliveries and cases of PPH remained unchanged. After applying strategies to promote voluntary BD, a very slight increase was observed in the frequency of BD, with a negative indicator persisting between donation and blood demand. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to shortages at BBs. In this context, typical measures to encourage an altruistic attitude toward BD have not had a significant impact. As causes of PPH continue, quality of care may be affected by the current situation at BBs. Governments and institutions must implement new strategies to motivate BD.

Estimated prevalence of the Duffy null phenotype Fy (a-b-) among black blood-donors in Southwestern Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Hemolytic reactions are adverse complications associated with red blood cell transfusion. These reactions are associated with clinically important erythrocyte antigens, such as those of Duffy blood Meny (2010). Individuals with the Duffy null phenotype Fy (a-b-) are more likely to develop an alloimmunization reaction, resulting in an incompatibility with all available red blood cell units, thus increasing the risk of complications from their underlying disease Höher et al. (2018). Hence, it is important to determine the prevalence of the Fy (a-b-) phenotype in blood donors in our population and to create a database to ensure safe transfusion in patients with this phenotype. Moreover, we intend to establish whether there is any relationship between individuals with this phenotype and the sickle cell trait. We conducted this study to measure the prevalence of the Fy (a-b-) phenotype in our blood donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, descriptive study included black blood donors visiting the blood bank of a tertiary care university hospital between January 2019 and July 2019. We used Fitzpatrick classification phototype VI and self-identification to select donors in the study. The presence of the Duffy antigens Fya and Fyb was determined by the Coombs test using monoclonal antibodies. To establish the presence of hemoglobin S (HbS) and sickle cell traits, a hemoglobin electrophoresis test was performed. RESULTS: We included 166 patients in the study. Seventy-nine donors were identified as having Fy (a-b-). The prevalence of the Fy (a-b-) phenotype was 48 %. Sickle cell trait hemoglobinopathy was found in 6 blood donors (8%). CONCLUSION: This information is relevant for the implementation of a database of blood donors to guarantee the safety of transfusion in patients with a Fitzpatrick skin type 6at our institution. Moreover, it may provide information of interest to other blood banks in case donors with this phenotype are needed. No significant association was found between the donor Fy (a-b-) phenotype and the sickle cell trait.