Babies who've had blood transfusions?

[TashaAndBump]

Do they need a second heal prick test?

Anna had to have two blood transfusions after she was born. When she was discharged my HV mentioned something about she would need a repeat heal prick test later on...

But nothing has been sent through and nothing mentioned about it since then.

To those whose babies have had transfusions after birth: Did they need a second heal prick test and when did they have it if so?

Thanks x

 

[karenshaz]

In order to test for sickle sell and thalassemia, which was tested for at the second heel prick test then it would need to be retested. My son's was done a long time ago though (at about 5 months, you should have definately got a repeat by now (when was the blood transfusion done, and was the second heel prick done after the transfusion?). I would call your health visitor and ask. Hope this helps.

 

[TashaAndBump]

In order to test for sickle sell and thalassemia, which was tested for at the second heel prick test then it would need to be retested. My son's was done a long time ago though (at about 5 months, you should have definately got a repeat by now (when was the blood transfusion done, and was the second heel prick done after the transfusion?). I would call your health visitor and ask. Hope this helps.

The blood transfusion was done 3 days after birth... the heal prick test was done before the transfusion, I think. But I'm not to sure to be honest... days in special care all seemed to merge into one after a while...

 

[Hevz]

The normal heel prick test isn't done until about 5 or 6 days after birth and up to 2 weeks after anyway coz it isn't any use until they've been drinking milk as the test determines how well baby is metabolising feeds.


She mustn't have had one at all but if there was a problem I would have thought it would have been apparent by now sweetie so don't fret. Mention is to your Health Visitor and she'll get it done if needs be

 

[karenshaz]

I'm the same can't remember what happened when. The second heel prick was done on one of my twins at home by midwife as it hadn't been done in hospital (this was forgotten about as well actually, luckily she picked up on this. The twin that had a transfusion had it done before discharge (about 7weeks I think, and was transfused at five). As this was done within three months of the transfusion it needed repeating.

Thought I'd make what happened a bit clearer. It'll probably be hard to get a straight answer from someone now, I know what it's like. I'd try and push for it just in case.

 

[Sarah+Ellen]

Ellen had the first hel prick at day 5 then the HV mentioned that she would need anothr 3 mopnths after her last transfusion and she sent a specialist HV out to do the test when Ellen was 8 months old.

 

[TashaAndBump]

Actually I think Anna had her transfusion a few days after birth so before the heal prick test.... but would only have been a few days - two at most. Does she still need another one? I mentioned it to HV and she said that she wouldn't need another because the heal prick was done after the transfusions. But when the health visitor at breastfeeding cafe mentioned it when Anna was a month or so old, she said that she would still need another one in a couple of months??

Who is right?? Is it true that she doesn't need another one, or was the other health visitor right that it needs to be done a few months after the transfusion?

Thanks x

 

[Sarah+Ellen]

you have to allow 3 months after last transfusion (or you did 2 1/2 years ago!) so yas she will need another test.