Water administration and the risk of syncope and pre-syncope during blood donation: A Randomized Study in a tertiary care Medical College from North India

Shailesh kumar Mishra; Shivani Kalhan; Nand Kishore Singh

Volume : IX, Issue : II, February - 2020

Water administration and the risk of syncope and pre-syncope during blood donation: A Randomized Study in a tertiary care Medical College from North India

Shailesh Kumar Mishra, Shivani Kalhan, Nand Kishore Singh

Abstract :

Background—Blood centre rely heavily upon young donors to meet blood demand, but pre–syncope and syncope are more frequent in younger donors. Studies have suggested administration of water prior to donation may reduce syncope and/or pre–syncope in this group. Materials and Methods—We conducted this study to establish the effect of pre–loading with 500ml of water on the rate of syncope and pre–syncope in young blood donors who came for blood donation voluntarily in outdoor blood donation camp organised by the department. Nearly Fifty percent of blood donors received water and another Fifty percent were not given water pre donation and the effect of water on blood donors studied. Incidence of syncope and pre–syncope was compared between randomization groups using multivariable logistic regression. Results—Of 2,466 study participants, 1,339 received water and 1,127 did not; groups differed slightly by gender and number of donation. Syncope or pre–syncope was seen in 3 (0.22%) in the test group(who received water before donation) and 38 (3.37%) of the control subjects(who were not given water before donation). After adjusting for, gender, age and donation history, there was significant difference in outcome between the water versus no water administration (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.80 (95% CI 0.42–1.53). Conclusion—Preloading young donors with 500 ml of water have a major effect in reducing syncope and pre–syncope.