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Original Research | Medical Science | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 477 - 480 | India
Analysis of Reasons for Blood Donor Deferral: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Centre in North India
Abstract: Background: Blood donor deferral is an inevitable component of donor selection that safeguards both donors and recipients but can adversely affect donor retention and blood availability. Understanding the pattern and causes of deferral is essential for optimizing donor eligibility criteria and sustaining transfusion services, particularly in high-volume tertiary care settings [1, 2]. Aim: This retrospective, observational study was conducted in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, SMS Medical College and Attached Hospital, Jaipur, over a one-year period (September 2024 to August 2025), to analyze the frequency and reasons for blood donor deferral. Materials and methods: A total of 40,128 prospective voluntary and replacement donors were screened following Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, and DGHS guidelines; each donor underwent a standardized pre-donation evaluation comprising demographic assessment, medical/surgical history, physical examination, and hemoglobin estimation using a HemoCue Hb 301+ analyzer. Results: Of the 40,128 donors screened, 4,332 (10.79%) were deferred; males constituted 83.1% and females 16.9% of deferred donors. Anemia was the single most common cause of deferral (23.55%) and was significantly more frequent among female donors (p<0.001), followed by medical/surgical conditions (17.45%), underweight/underage status (11.91%), and recent tattooing (5.26%); other temporary causes- including inadequate sleep, allergy, recent vaccination, menstruation, animal bite, alcohol intake, and recent donation- together accounted for 41.84% of deferrals. Conclusion: The overwhelming majority of deferrals were temporary and potentially avoidable. Targeted donor education addressing anemia, particularly iron deficiency among female donors, together with structured pre-donation counseling, could substantially reduce avoidable deferrals, expand the eligible donor pool, and improve donor retention, thereby helping to ensure a stable and safe blood supply.
Keywords: blood donor deferral, anemia, hemoglobin, voluntary blood donation, transfusion medicine, donor retention
How to Cite?: Dr. Aashish Kumar Laduna, Dr. Amit Sharma, Dr. S P Bhardwaj, "Analysis of Reasons for Blood Donor Deferral: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Centre in North India", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 477-480, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR26706213302, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR26706213302