Current efforts to reduce the risk of syncope among young blood donors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review examines recent research on syncope after whole blood donation and efforts by blood centers to improve safety for young blood donors. RECENT FINDINGS: Young (16-18-year-old) volunteers contribute about 14% of the whole blood collected by the American Red Cross each year. Although quite safe, blood donation has some attendant risk, and syncopal reactions are more common among the youngest donors. Precautionary measures include predonation education, environmental controls, water ingestion shortly before phlebotomy, and distraction and muscle tension during collection. American Red Cross and Blood Systems, Inc. introduced new criteria to select donors with an estimated blood volume above 3.5 l. The changes led to about a 20% decrease in reactions among young blood donors, with the greatest benefit observed among the youngest, most susceptible donors. SUMMARY: Although the risk to blood donors cannot be eliminated, a systematic approach can achieve a significant and sustained improvement among vulnerable donor populations. Further research should explore novel ways to reduce the risk of syncope and prevent the uncommon, but potentially serious, associated injuries after whole blood donation.