§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury from blood transfusion has been given a lower priority to date than the theoretical risk from vCJD; and why no action to protect patients against the risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury has been taken. [HL24]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The risk of transfusion-related lung injury (TRALI) is being looked at by the National Blood Service (NBS) as a high priority. Consideration is now being given to sourcing United States fresh frozen plasma for neonates and children born after 1 January 1996 from male donors who are at a much lower risk of having the antibodies responsible for many cases of TRALI. The NBS has further safety measures planned, which include reviewing the processing methods for donation to try to remove more plasma from red cell units for transfusion. The NBS is also conducting an option appraisal of means to minimise the risk of TRALI.