Why is direct blood transfusion between immediate family members not recommended?
Sep 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
Direct blood transfusion between immediate family members is generally not recommended, mainly due to risks such as graft-versus-host disease, potential blood type mismatch, lack of assurance regarding blood quality, delays in timely抢救 (emergency treatment), and non-compliance with clinical standards. Immediate family members have highly similar human leukocyte antigens (HLA), making it difficult for the recipient's immune system to recognize donor immune cells. This can lead to donor immune cells attacking the recipient's tissues and organs.
Direct blood transfusion between immediate family members is generally not recommended, mainly due to risks such as graft-versus-host disease, potential blood type incompatibility, uncertain blood quality, delayed emergency treatment, and non-compliance with clinical standards. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Risk of graft-versus-host disease: Human leukocyte antigens are highly similar between immediate family members, making it difficult for the recipient's immune system to recognize donor immune cells. This can easily lead to donor immune cells attacking the recipient's organs and tissues, a condition with an extremely high mortality rate.
2. Potential blood type incompatibility: Even if ABO blood types match, there may still be incompatibilities in other blood group systems such as Rh factor and platelet antigens. Direct transfusion can easily trigger severe complications such as hemolytic reactions and allergic reactions.
3. Uncertain blood quality: Before donating blood, immediate family members may, due to emotional factors, conceal histories of infectious diseases or underlying medical conditions, skipping the multiple testing procedures of formal blood banks, thus failing to ensure that the blood is free from harmful substances such as viruses and bacteria.
4. Delayed emergency treatment: During urgent blood transfusions, finding a family member to donate may consume valuable time, and compatibility testing must be done urgently. In contrast, blood from formal blood banks has already undergone standardized testing and can be supplied rapidly, and direct transfusion may miss the optimal treatment window.
5. Non-compliance with clinical standards: Clinical blood transfusions must follow strict procedures for collection, testing, separation, and storage. Direct transfusions between immediate family members bypass formal blood banks, falling outside the medical quality control system and creating numerous safety vulnerabilities.
Blood transfusions must strictly follow clinical guidelines, with priority given to blood that has passed testing at formal blood banks. If relatives wish to donate blood, they should complete screening and donation procedures through formal blood banks. If symptoms such as fever, chills, or chest discomfort occur during the transfusion, medical staff should be notified immediately for appropriate management.
