transfusiondependent

Transfusion-dependent is a medical term used to describe patients who require ongoing regular blood transfusions to maintain adequate red blood cell mass and organ function. Dependence is typically defined by a consistent need for scheduled transfusions over weeks to months, though exact thresholds vary by condition and guideline.

Common causes include congenital disorders such as beta-thalassemia major and Diamond-Blackfan anemia, and acquired conditions such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and some cases of sickle cell disease with severe chronic anemia. Transfusion dependence arises when the underlying disease impairs red blood cell production or increases destruction, making endogenous recovery insufficient.

Management involves a regular transfusion program to sustain target hemoglobin or hematocrit levels, with adjustments for age, symptoms, and comorbidities. Ongoing monitoring of iron stores is essential because repeated transfusions can cause iron overload; chelation therapy may be used to reduce total body iron. Additional considerations include antigen matching and careful monitoring for alloimmunization, transfusion reactions, infections, and complications such as volume overload or transfusion-related acute lung injury.

Long-term options may include hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or, in some conditions, gene therapy, which can reduce or eliminate the need for transfusions in carefully selected patients. Access to safe blood supplies, adherence to treatment schedules, and management of transfusion-related risks are important factors that influence quality of life and overall prognosis for transfusion-dependent individuals.