Transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease, cytomegalovirus infection and HLA alloimmunization in neonatal and pediatric patients

Modern transfusion support of pediatric patients requires attention to the necessity to provide specialized or modified blood components to these pati ents who are often immunocompromised and/or affected by very complex medica l and surgical illnesses. In this review we will address three potential co mplications of transfusion that may require specialized components for thei r prevention in selected patients namely transfusion-associated graft-versu s-host disease, transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus infection and HLA a lloimmunization, with particular reference to the indications for preventio n of these transfusion complications in neonatal and pediatric patients. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.