Blood donation

La Donación de Sangre

Blood donation is a very common medical procedure, thus, it is important to review the most frequent complications in donors, especially blood-donation-induced iron deficiency. The procedure is beneficial both for the future usefulness of blood and blood products as well as the favorable health effects for the donors; however, recurrent complications derived from the collection of whole blood and blood components separately, have been described. This review article contains information related to the risk factors associated with this practice and the main complications that may appear, such as iron depletion, in
order to enlighten the reader on the predisposing factors among first-time and repeat donors. It was concluded that vasovagal reactions are the most frequent reactions as well as other reactions that can lead to unwanted symptoms, but the decrease in iron levels is one of the most alarming complications. Sex, age, socioeconomic level, diet and blood type have been evidenced as factors that favor the probability of developing complications due to iron deficiency in donors.