Blood transfusion practices in obstetric patients at a tertiary care institute during COVID-19 first wave: The need to re-strategize

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on all aspects of life, including the blood transfusion practice. We tried to explore the reasons for blood transfusion in detail for each obstetric case that required it. Our aims were to- 1. Study the incidence of blood transfusion in obstetrics 2. Determine the reason behind the need for blood transfusion3. Follow-up to obtain history about prophylactic iron supplementation Out of 6049 admissions in 2020, 211 (3.4%) patients required blood product transfusion (which included two maternal mortalities). Commonest indication for blood transfusion was anemia(63.5%) followed by obstetrical hemorrhage (34.12%). Patients(60.6%) contacted telephonically indicated poor compliance to oral iron. The analysis of blood transfusions during a COVID-19 wave shows unpreparedness to cope with an enormous shortage of blood products, exposing a loophole. Hence innovative ideas and an investigation into non-compliance toward iron tablets is the need of the moment.