Chances of Newborn with SB requiring a blood tranfusion after surgeries

[lrllnd1]

Hi, My baby has SB and is due in April. Just wanted to know how often do newborn with open SB require blood tranfusion after the first intial surgery and after a shunt has been installed? I was hoping I could bank my blood if the baby is the same blood type. Also can amniocentesis dtermine the baby's blood type?

Thanks,
Lori

[LisaJoy]

I THINK that I have read that sb surgeries typically do not involve significant blood loss, but of course infants can require blood transfusions for other reasons. I've never heard of an sb surgery resulting in a need for blood. I'm sorry, I don't know about blood-typing the unborn. It is a good question. Have you met your baby's surgeon yet, or will you have a chance to before the birth? These would be good questions to ask -- and if you find out, post it on here so we'll all know!

[lrllnd1]

Hi, No I have not meet the neurosurgeon yet but I have heard nothing but totally positeve word of praise about him. He actually installed a shunt for my uncle who was hurt in an accident. I will not probably have a chance to meet with him before hand he is in another province at the childrens hospital. I am seeing my ob/gyn tuesday and I will ask him.
Thanks

[Dodger67]

If both parents have the same blood type then the child will also have that blood type.

If one parent has type O and the other A or B then the child will have either O or A/B

If one parent is A and the other B the child will have A or B or AB. If it is AB the child can get blood from either parent otherwise from the matching parent.

So the short answer is:
If you and the father have different bloodgroups then you should BOTH bank your blood - one of you will match.
If both have the same it won't matter who's blood your baby gets.

[LisaJoy]

You might try phoning the neurosurgery practice (or even the hospital) and ask if the surgeon or one of his nursing staff could call you to answer questions. Or he might even let him email you -- I had a neurosurgeon about 10 years ago who gave me his email address to ask questions; he always responded to me himself.

[claire]

Hi, My baby has SB and is due in April. Just wanted to know how often do newborn with open SB require blood tranfusion after the first intial surgery and after a shunt has been installed? I was hoping I could bank my blood if the baby is the same blood type. Also can amniocentesis dtermine the baby's blood type?

Thanks,
Lori

my baby got three operation and never needed one. i asked the doctor that question aswell and they told me sb baby are at no greater rise that any other person.they will need there vit k injection right after birth.

[lrllnd1]

Hi everyone, I finally got to talk to a pediatric neurosurgeon at the IWK children's hospital where my baby will have her surgery. I was really glad I got to talk with him I should have done it months ago. I also got to talk to the nurse which manages the Spina Bifida clinic there. The neurosurgeon says they very rarley need to do and blood tranfusion when closing a SB lession. My OB says neurosurgeon are meticulous and pediatric neurosurgeon even more so, he said didn't believe the baby would require a blood transfusion. things are going well with the baby she was estimated to be around 4 & 1/2 pound two weeks ago at my last ultrasound. I go for another ultrasound tomorrow. I have to go ever two weeks now, it is great to see the baby so often.

[LisaJoy]

There's truth in the saying that knowledge is power. I'm so glad things are going well. Keep us posted! We look forward to your baby's arrival.

[lisawoody]

My Erin has had 13 surgeries and has never had a blood transfusion, even if your baby needed one there are always supplies on hand so I wouldn't worry about it, just kick back and enjoy your pregnacy.

[angel]

When i had my spinal fusion (back in 1985) I was admitted into the hospital a couple of days before the surgery. I know they took some blood from me and I am not sure how they had enough but i remember my mom saying they did that in case i needed it they would give my own blood back to me.

Angel

[janjanwhit]

My baby had his back closure at 6 hours old and he required a blood transfusion a few days later as he was aenemic from the op. he was 8 pound 9 at birth.