What Is Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction? Causes, Symptoms

A hemolytic transfusion reaction occurs when the body's immune system attacks the red blood cells received during a blood transfusion. This can happen when there is a mismatch between the donor's blood type and the recipient's blood type. The immune system sees the new blood cells as foreign invaders and launches an attack, leading to the destruction of the red blood cells. It is important for healthcare providers to carefully match blood types to prevent this reaction from occurring.

What Are the Symptoms of Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Symptoms of a hemolytic transfusion reaction may include fever, chills, back pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine. These symptoms can occur during or after a blood transfusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Hemolytic transfusion reactions are serious and require prompt medical intervention.

Fever and Chills: You may experience a sudden rise in body temperature and uncontrollable shivering after a blood transfusion, indicating a potential hemolytic reaction.
Back or Chest Pain: Sharp or intense pain in your back or chest can be a symptom of hemolysis, a serious complication that occurs when the transfused blood cells are destroyed.
Dark Urine: If your urine appears darker than usual, it could be a sign that your red blood cells are breaking down rapidly, leading to hemolysis.
Shortness of Breath: Feeling breathless or struggling to breathe after a transfusion may indicate that your body is having a negative reaction to the donated blood.

Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.

Get Second Opinion

Causes of Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

ABO blood group incompatibility, where the recipient's immune system attacks the transfused red blood cells due to mismatched blood types.
Antibodies in the recipient's blood reacting with antigens on the donor red blood cells, leading to hemolysis.
Transfusion of blood that has been improperly stored, causing the red blood cells to break down more easily upon transfusion.
Transfusion of blood that has been contaminated with bacteria, leading to an immune response and hemolysis.
Autoimmune conditions in the recipient that cause the immune system to mistakenly target and destroy transfused red blood cells.

Types Of Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Delayed reactions typically happen 3-7 days after a transfusion and may present with symptoms like fever, jaundice, and dark urine. It is essential to monitor for these reactions to ensure patient safety.

Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction: This serious reaction occurs when the recipient's immune system attacks and destroys donor red blood cells, leading to rapid onset symptoms such as fever, chills, chest pain, and dark urine.
Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction: This type of reaction typically occurs days to weeks after a blood transfusion when the recipient's immune system mounts a delayed response against antigens on the transfused red blood cells, causing symptoms like jaundice, anemia, and fatigue.
Febrile Non-Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction: This common transfusion reaction is characterized by the development of fever during or shortly after a blood transfusion, often due to recipient antibodies reacting to the donor.

Risk Factors

Other factors such as older age, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions like kidney disease or cancer can also increase the risk. Proper blood typing and screening are essential to prevent these potentially life-threatening reactions.

History of previous transfusion reactions increases the risk of hemolytic transfusion reaction, as the body may have developed antibodies that can cause an adverse immune response to the new blood transfusion.
Having certain blood types, especially ABO incompatibility between donor and recipient blood, can lead to hemolytic transfusion reactions due to the immune system attacking the incompatible blood cells.
Patients with autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, are at higher risk for hemolytic transfusion reactions as their immune systems may be more reactive to foreign blood components.
Prolonged storage of blood products can increase the risk of hemolytic transfusion reactions, as older blood may have higher levels.

Your health is everything - prioritize your well-being today.

Schedule Your Appointment

Diagnosis of Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Hemolytic transfusion reaction is diagnosed through symptoms like fever, chills, chest or back pain, and dark urine. Blood tests are done to check for markers of red blood cell destruction. If suspected, the transfusion is stopped immediately, and supportive care is provided. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment and prevention of complications. Tell your healthcare provider about any unusual symptoms after a blood transfusion.

Blood sample Analysis: Diagnosis of hemolytic transfusion reaction often involves testing the patient's blood sample to look for evidence of red blood cell destruction, such as decreased haptoglobin levels and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.
Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT): This test is performed to detect the presence of antibodies or complement proteins on the surface of red blood cells, which can indicate an immune-mediated hemolytic reaction.
Hemoglobinuria Evaluation: Hemoglobinuria, the presence of free hemoglobin in the urine, can be a sign of hemolysis. Urine analysis can help identify this condition in patients suspected of having a hemolytic transfusion reaction.

Treatment for Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Treatment for hemolytic transfusion reaction involves stopping the transfusion immediately and providing supportive care such as fluids and medications to manage symptoms. In severe cases, additional treatments like medications to support kidney function or address clotting issues may be necessary. It is important to inform healthcare providers promptly if any signs of a reaction occur during a blood transfusion to ensure timely intervention.

Immediate cessation of the transfusion is crucial in managing a hemolytic transfusion reaction to prevent further complications and minimize the extent of hemolysis in the patient's bloodstream.
Administering intravenous fluids, such as normal saline, can help support blood pressure and kidney function by assisting in the dilution and elimination of the free hemoglobin released during the hemolysis process.
Depending on the severity of the reaction, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and immune response, potentially mitigating the damage caused by the immune system's attack on the transfused red blood cells.
In cases of severe hemolytic transfusion reactions leading to acute kidney injury, dialysis may be necessary

Find Our Specialists

Book Doctor Appointment

Name*

Mobile Number*

I agree to the Medicover Privacy Policy

International Patient Services

Still have questions? Speak with our experts now!

040-68334455

Frequently Asked Questions

What early signs should I look for with hemolytic transfusion reaction?

Early signs of hemolytic transfusion reaction include fever, chills, back pain, and dark urine. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms.

Are there specific things I should or shouldn't do when dealing with hemolytic transfusion reaction?

When dealing with hemolytic transfusion reaction, stop the transfusion immediately, provide supportive care, monitor vital signs closely, and report it to healthcare providers.

What are the potential complications of hemolytic transfusion reaction?

Potential complications of hemolytic transfusion reaction include kidney failure, shock, and even death in severe cases. Immediate medical attention is necessary.

What treatment options are available for hemolytic transfusion reaction?

Treatment options for hemolytic transfusion reaction may include stopping the transfusion, providing supportive care, managing symptoms, and possibly medication or blood products.