Pre Donation Deferral a Single Centre Experience

Abstract

It is well known that quite a large number of apparently healthy donors are not able to donate blood successfully because of varied reasons. These donors are deferred temporarily or permanently. The aim of the study was to analyze the Incidence of Blood Donor deferral and its various causes and use this information as a guide for promoting Voluntary Blood donation. All the Blood donors reporting at our Blood Bank in last 6 months period were analyzed retrospectively. Data of all the donors deferred due to various causes was analyzed at our Transfusion Medicine Centre. There were 7253 donors, of which 524 donors were deferred (7.22%) for various reasons. Of the 7253 donors registered for donation, females constituted only 8.6%. And deferral rate was about six times more for female (29.05%) compared to male (5.18%). The three most common reasons for deferral low hemoglobin levels, chronic diseases and medication. More studies should be done at state and national level so that enough data can be collected and national policies formulated and western parameters for deferral should not be followed as regional differences cause unnecessary deferrals of already limited donors. Moreover analysis of donor deferral pattern will help blood banks to formulate more focused donor screening approach.