BLOOD COAGULATION STUDIES DURING EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION

Summary

Blood coagulation before and after exchange transfusion in babies affected by haemolytic disease of the newborn has been studied. Coagulation defects may be present at the end of an exhange transfusion; they include severe thrombocytopenia and prolonged kaolin cephalin clotting times. The platelet count often remains low for several days. There is a rise in plasminogen levels during the exchange transfusion. Infants who have a severe consumption coagulopathy may be improved, however, by a exchange transfusion.