Transfusion has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality in
megaloblastic anaemia (MA). This retrospective study was undertaken to exa
mine the usefulness of transfusion in the management of MA. Fifty-two patie
nts with MA were identified. Of the 20 transfused patients 13 were treated
with diuretics and six with potassium supplements. The mean haemoglobin (Hb
) of the transfused group was 6.5 g/dl (range 4.8-10.4 g/dl), and of the 32
non-transfused patients 10.5 g/dl (range 5.6-17.0 g/dl). The Hb and packed
cell volume (PCV) were significantly lower in the transfused group. Only t
wo of 32 non-transfused group were given potassium supplements. In this sma
ll group of patients with MA, transfusion appeared to be safe and no compli
cations of transfusion were identified. However, advice was not being follo
wed. We would suggest that, although transfusion has a minor role in the ma
nagement of MA, consideration must be given to the general hazards of trans
fusion.