BLOOD-TRANSFUSION AT DELIVERY AND RISK OF SUBSEQUENT MALIGNANT-LYMPHOMA IN THE MOTHER

Background and Objectives: Blood transfusion has been shown to be a ri sk factor for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Materials and Methods: In a cohort of 77,928 women with bleeding complications at delivery in th e period of 1973-1986, subsequent NHL cases were identified and the nu mber was compared with the number expected from national incidence rat es. In a case-control study the proportion of transfused NHL cases was compared with the proportion of transfused controls. Results: The obs erved number of NHL in the cohort was 18 versus 22.0 expected. Informa tion on transfusion was obtained for 15 of the NHL cases and none (0%) was transfused versus 32 out of 136 controls (23%), Conclusions: Bloo d transfusion at delivery is not a risk factor for NHL. The immune tol erance induced by pregnancy may reduce the risk of NHL associated with the transfusion of allogeneic blood cells.