The aims of an exchange transfusion— removal of sensitized red cells, removal of excessive bilirubin and Rh antibodies, and the correction of anemia—have not changed over the years. Morbidity and mortality rates are low, due primarily to better training of pediatricians and to advances in instrumen tation and technic.
This article reviews basic principles and current technics in exchange transfusion.
References
1.
Allen, E. and Diamond, L.: Erythroblastosis Fetalis; Including Exchange Transfusion Technic. Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1958, p. 143.
2.
Bentley, H.P. , in Shirkey, H. C. (Ed.): Pediatric Therapy. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby Company, 1966, pp. 641-646.
3.
Bowman, J.M. and Friesen, R.F., in Gellis, S. and Kagen, B. (Eds.): Current Pediatric Therapy, 1966-1967. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Co., 1966, pp. 330-335.
