Youngest transfusion patient 'now chirpy little boy' after treatment in the womb

5 hours ago 2

NHSBT A baby is on his hands and knees on a rug indoors, looking towards the camera, with a decorated Christmas tree and wrapped presents visible in the background.

A baby who contracted a virus when he was still in the womb is thought to be the youngest in the UK to receive a life-saving, rare blood transfusion procedure.

Doctors discovered Arthur had caught parvovirus, which led to severe anaemia, a build-up of fluid and heart failure.

Specialists at St George's Hospital in London gave the infant what is known as an intrauterine transfusion (IUT) when he was about the size of an avocado and his mother was 16 weeks pregnant.

His mother, Maisie, a 30-year-old primary school teacher from Cranleigh in Surrey, said it was 50/50 whether her son would survive, but the procedure was successful and he was now a "really chirpy little boy".

NHSBT A woman stands outdoors holding a baby near a brick wall, with a river, trees, and sunlight visible in the background.

Medics believe Arthur is the youngest patient in the UK to have had the procedure.

Parvovirus, also known as slapped cheek syndrome, is usually harmless to children but Arthur was extremely unwell because of his immature immune system.

Maisie described the procedure in 2024 as "absolutely terrifying".

"He was so small the doctors were working within millimetres," she said.

Arthur, born in January 2025, was "doing great" and "reaching all the milestones", she said.

"To have the life I am now living, with my family, there's no words to express the gratitude I feel and how fortunate I was to be able to access that care and blood promptly," she added.

She said she often wondered who the donor was, adding: "I would love to tell them that their decision to give blood gave my boy the chance to be here."

NHSBT A hand holds an ultrasound scan showing a baby before birth next to a pressed four‑leaf clover encased in a clear plastic sleeve.

About 180 IUT units are issued each year by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), using blood from donors who must meet strict criteria.

Paul Bickley, 45, from Richmond, one of eight donors whose blood has been used most often, said: "I just realised life is very precious and that kept me donating. Hearing my blood was used in this way almost made me cry."

David Smith, 64, a donor from Westminster, said: "If you can help babies, you have to. It's always a pleasure."

NHSBT Paul Bickley sits in a medical donation chair indoors with a blood pressure cuff and tubing attached to one arm, with blood donation equipment and a tray visible beside the chair.

Dr Anne Kelly, paediatric transfusion and components clinical expert for NHSBT, said IUTs were very rare, donors were carefully selected and extra safety measures were applied, because patients were "particularly vulnerable".

Consultant paediatrician and chief medical officer at St George's, Dr Luci Etheridge, added: "A blood transfusion while still in the womb can mean the difference between life and loss.

"We are proud to provide this highly-specialised, lifesaving care."