Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine: Blood Donor Deferral Periods

Permanent Deferral

A deferral period assigned to donors diagnosed with AIDS, malignant solid tumors (excluding basal cell carcinoma of the skin and carcinoma in situ of the cervix), hematologic malignancies, chronic cardiopulmonary/liver/renal diseases, serious abnormal bleeding tendencies, Chagas' disease, CJD, recipients of human pituitary-derived growth hormone, or recipients of cornea/dura mater.

Viral Hepatitis Deferral Criteria

Clinical history or diagnosis after the age of 11 results in permanent deferral; before age 11 results in temporary deferral; reacting with anti-HBc more than once results in indefinite deferral.

Babesiosis

A condition resulting in an indefinite deferral for prospective blood donors.

Tegison (etretinate)

A teratogenic medication used for the treatment of psoriasis that warrants a permanent deferral.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Deferrals

Diagnosis, or being a recipient of cornea/dura mater or human pituitary-derived growth hormone warrants permanent deferral; being a relative of a diagnosed patient or spending 3 or more months in Europe since 1980 warrants indefinite deferral; recombinant growth hormone recipients have no deferral.

Soriatane (acitretin)

A treatment for severe psoriasis that requires a 3-year deferral period.

Malaria Deferral Criteria

Being diagnosed and treated for malaria or being a malaria refugee/immigrant warrants a 3-year deferral; traveling to malaria-endemic places warrants a 12-month deferral.

12-Month Deferral Conditions