Background: To date, limited attention has been given to transgender recipients of blood components, particularly transgender men of childbearing age. Here, we highlight the essential information needed to provide transfusion support for this population.
Case report: A 40-year-old transgender man, who retained his uterus and ovaries, presented with severe vaginal hemorrhage following biopsies for a cervical mass. He was admitted to the Gynecology unit and emergency blood was ordered. Because the patient was listed as male in the electronic health record (EHR), the transfusion service prepared uncrossmatched type O, RhD-positive red blood cells (RBC). After the sex/gender incongruence was recognized, the units were switched for Rh-negative.
Conclusion: This case illustrates particular considerations when caring for transgender patients: gender/sex documentation, decision-making processes when gender/sex-specific care applies, and challenges to the pathology service.
© 2017 AABB.