Placental umbilical cord whole blood transfusion: A true blood substitute to combat anemia in the background of Chronic disease - A study report (1999-2006)

Abstract

All over the world, millions of people are saved every year as a result of blood transfusions. At the same time, many, particularly in the developing countries, still die because of inadequate supply of safe blood and blood products. A reliable supply of safe blood is essential to improve health standards at several levels, especially for women and children, and particularly in the poorer sections of society anywhere in the world. Half a million women still die of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and 99% of them are in the developing countries. Hemorrhage accounts for 25% of complications and is the most common cause of maternal death [1]. Malnutrition, thalassemia, and severe anemia are prevalent diseases in children, which require blood transfusion, apart from other complicated diseases. Over 80 million units of blood are collected every year, but the tragedy is that only 39% of this is collected in the developing world which comprises 82% of the global population. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2009.