Use of exchange blood transfusion in the management of severe COVID-19 infection in pregnancy: experience from Lagos, Nigeria

Afr Health Sci. 2022 Jun;22(2):75-78. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v22i2.9.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents with symptoms that may be mild or severe. The individual with the severe form of the disease usually presents with a constellation of respiratory symptoms typical of acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this report, we present our experience of the successful management of an oxygen-dependent pregnant woman with severe COVID-19 infection who had 2 sessions of partial exchange blood transfusion. We discussed the principles that informed this intervention and the need to adopt this novel approach in the care of severe COVID-19 infection.

Keywords: ARDS; COVID-19; EBT; Exchange blood transfusion and pregnancy; Nigeria.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nigeria
  • Oxygen
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Oxygen