Hemochromatosis, primarily an inherited blood disorder characterized by iron overload, is treated with routine therapeutic phlebotomy. Although this therapy provides an additional source of blood for transfusion, many blood centers in Europe discard these donations because of concern over bacterial or viral contamination and the non-voluntary nature of this type of donation. Researchers from the Belgian Red Cross recently published a systematic review of six observational studies on the safety and efficacy of donation from hemochromatosis patients, and found that donations from patients without complications are acceptable for transfusion. Two of the studies reviewed found that the blood from hemochromatosis patients was more vulnerable to bacterial growth, but the authors suggest that donations from patients with normalized iron levels would not have this susceptibility. While individuals in the United States with hereditary hemochromatosis have been permitted to donate blood since 2001, many European countries do not have the same policy. The authors call for a coordination of policies between countries to permit hemochromatosis patients to donate blood.
- De Buck E, et al. Is blood of uncomplicated hemochromatosis patients safe and effective for blood transfusion? A systematic review. J Hepatol. 2012 May 30. [Epub ahead of print]
- Guidance for Industry: Variances for Blood Collection from Individuals with Hereditary Hemochromatosis. In: Vaccines, Blood & Biologics. Edited by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 2001: Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER); http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/ucm076719.htm. Accessed September 7, 2012.