Blood management for children

Some parents object to blood transfusions for their children because of religious beliefs. We respect your beliefs. We hope it's good news to know that we can be a resource if your child needs surgery. We’re one of only a few children’s hospitals in the country with a blood management program. This means we will do our very best to honor your beliefs and help your surgical team avoid blood transfusion, if possible. 

One of the ways we do this is by meeting with you prior to surgery so that we can address any bleeding or clotting risks. We will also talk with you at that time about ways that we can limit blood loss during surgery. However, in critical, life-threatening situations, we cannot guarantee that blood products will not be used. 

Religious beliefs are not the only reason that we may employ the expertise of our blood management team. The following conditions place your child at risk for blood loss and/or the malabsorption of iron, which can result in anemia. 

Children with these conditions may benefit from consultation with the blood management team:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Short gut syndrome
• Gut dysmotility
• Planned surgery 

With our program, you gain the trust of knowing your child is receiving medically sound care. We honor your child's needs while at the same time honoring family beliefs.