Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions but accept solid organ transplants. Six Jehovah's Witnesses received a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant in our center. After a mean follow-up of 31.4 months (range: 18 to 39) all the recipients are alive and well with functioning grafts. However, 1 month after grafting, one recipient required blood transfusions. Hemorrhage was ruled out and the anemia was attributed to drug-related toxicity. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses can receive a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant without blood transfusions at the time of surgery. However, lifesaving transfusions may be needed later on, which raises additional and unique medical and ethical issues.
Kidney and pancreas transplants in Jehovah's witnesses: ethical and practical implications
VISTOLI, FABIO;
2004-01-01
Abstract
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions but accept solid organ transplants. Six Jehovah's Witnesses received a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant in our center. After a mean follow-up of 31.4 months (range: 18 to 39) all the recipients are alive and well with functioning grafts. However, 1 month after grafting, one recipient required blood transfusions. Hemorrhage was ruled out and the anemia was attributed to drug-related toxicity. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses can receive a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant without blood transfusions at the time of surgery. However, lifesaving transfusions may be needed later on, which raises additional and unique medical and ethical issues.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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