exchange transfusion
Quick Summary
Exchange transfusion is a medical procedure where a patient's blood is gradually replaced with donor blood. This is typically performed in specialized clinical situations. It is particularly used for severe cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn, also known as erythroblastosis fetalis. Additionally, it can be employed to treat certain poisonings or disorders affecting blood components. The first documented blood transfusion occurred in 1667, but it wasn't until the discovery of blood groups in the early 20th century that transfusions became safe.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
