A baby from Surrey has become one of the youngest patients in the UK to receive a life-saving blood transfusion while still in the womb. Arthur Ransom was just 16 weeks gestation – the size of an avocado – when he was given the intrauterine transfusion at St George's Hospital in London in 2024.
Arthur had contracted parvovirus, also known as slapped cheek syndrome, while in the womb. The common childhood illness caused him to become severely anaemic, leading to a dangerous build-up of fluid and heart failure. The transfusion delivered oxygen to his body, allowing the fluid around his heart and organs to be reabsorbed.
His mother, Maisie Ransom, a 30-year-old primary school teacher from Cranleigh, described the experience as “absolutely terrifying”. She said: “He was so small the doctors were working within millimetres. Without that blood he would not have made it – his organs were failing, his heart was completely enveloped in fluid and it was struggling to pump.”
Arthur was born in January 2025 and is now “doing great”, reaching all his milestones. Ms Ransom thanked the blood donors who made the procedure possible. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) identified eight donors whose blood has been used most for intrauterine transfusions. Donors must be men with type O blood that is Kell negative and negative for cytomegalovirus.
Paul Bickley, 45, from Richmond, and David Smith, 64, from Westminster, are among those whose blood has been used extensively for such transfusions. Bickley said: “Hearing my blood was used in this way almost made me cry, to think a very small act of kindness on my part could have such a massive impact.”
Dr Luci Etheridge, consultant paediatrician at St George's, said: “For babies like Arthur, a blood transfusion while still in the womb can mean the difference between life and loss. We are deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this possible.”
