Transfusion in the management of patients with megaloblastic anaemia

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.