Boy’s Life RestRestarted After Rare Blood Transfusions for AIHA
- A nine-year-old boy from Bolton named Qasim Rizwan has recovered from a life-threatening blood disorder after receiving rare blood transfusions using every matching unit available in the country,...
- Doctors at Manchester Children’s Hospital initially struggled to match Qasim's blood type as his health deteriorated rapidly.
- To meet the urgent demand, staff at the NHSBT national frozen blood bank in Liverpool defrosted and dispatched all six matching units of rare blood from inventory, alongside...
A nine-year-old boy from Bolton named Qasim Rizwan has recovered from a life-threatening blood disorder after receiving rare blood transfusions using every matching unit available in the country, according to the sources. Qasim was diagnosed with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in June of last year, a rare condition affecting roughly 1,200 people in the UK annually. The disorder causes the immune system to mistakenly target and destroy red blood cells faster than the body can produce them.
Rare Blood Disorder Strikes Bolton Boy
A Desperate Search for a Match
Doctors at Manchester Children’s Hospital initially struggled to match Qasim’s blood type as his health deteriorated rapidly. According to the sources, scientists at NHS Blood and Transplant subsequently discovered that Qasim possessed a rare mix of blood types, including r’r’, a Rhesus system subtype shared by roughly one in 10,000 people. Only about 50 registered blood donors in the UK carry the r’r’ type.
Nationwide Inventory Rushed to Manchester
To meet the urgent demand, staff at the NHSBT national frozen blood bank in Liverpool defrosted and dispatched all six matching units of rare blood from inventory, alongside another unit from a facility in Colindale. One of the matching units sent to the hospital matched Qasim’s exact age, having been donated when that donor was just eight days old. A rare donor was also specifically called up to give blood. Medical teams administered the transfusions alongside steroids, immunoglobulin, and other medications to stabilize his condition.
Sudden Onset Terrorizes Family
Recalling the ordeal, Qasim’s mother, 43-year-old mental health support worker Mahnaz Nazar, noted that her son went from being a fit, active eight-year-old to waking up with sudden jaundice, a rapid heart rate, and severe breathlessness.
It was terrifying because you don’t know what was going on, all you see is your child getting worse and worse,
Ms Nazar said. Qasim spent approximately three weeks in the hospital before being discharged.
Life Reststarted and Gratitude Shared
Reflecting on his recovery, Qasim shared that his health has stabilized completely.
I feel like I have my daily routine and everything is back to normal. My life has restarted,
Qasim said.
Following his recovery, Qasim, his father Rizwan Ahmed, and his brother Yusuf visited the NHSBT frozen blood bank in Liverpool to meet staff and thank them. In the wake of her son’s treatment, Ms Nazar has also registered to become a regular blood donor.