Posted: 5/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Blood Systems/United Blood Services A teenager is seen giving blood during a blood drive at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. A study by the American Red Cross shows that complications from donating blood are rare but happen much more often in teens than in older donors.

CHICAGO - Complications from donating blood, including dizziness, fainting and falls, are rare but happen more often in teens than in older donors, a study found.

The findings come as blood agencies increasingly rely on young people to maintain an adequate supply. Blood donation has declined in recent years, particularly among some older age groups, and the American Red Cross, which conducted the study, has supported efforts to allow more high school students to donate.

Lead author Dr. Anne Eder, an executive medical officer at Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C., emphasized that while teens are more susceptible to problems, their risks for having a bad reaction are still small.

"We want donors to know what to expect and we want them to have a good experience," Eder said.

Lightheadedness, sweating and small needle-related bruises were the most common problems. More serious complications were mostly caused by fainting - concussions, cuts and one broken jaw - and occurred much more often in the youngest donors.

It's unclear why teens are more vulnerable but Eder said they may respond differently to stress than adults. Low weight and small stature sometimes also play a role.

Almost 15 percent of annual blood donations nationwide come from donors aged 16 to 19. Most states allow 17-year-olds to donate blood; almost half allow 16-year-olds to donate with parents' consent, the study authors said.

Young people who start donating blood early tend to continue throughout their lives, said Dr. Peter Tomasulo, chief medical officer for Blood Systems Inc. The Scottsdale, Ariz. -based company oversees blood centers in 18 states.

"We are constantly trying to make sure that no patient ever has to wait for a blood transfusion. It's a very big struggle for us and these kids play a very big part," Tomasulo said. He was not involved in the study, which appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

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