What is the recommended preparation for Red Blood Cells to prevent graft-vs-host disease in infants who received intrauterine transfusions?

Irradiation of red blood cells is essential in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants who have received intrauterine transfusions. GVHD occurs when immunologically competent T-lymphocytes present in transfused blood recognize the recipient's tissues as foreign and mount an immune response against them.

Irradiation effectively inactivates these T-lymphocytes while preserving the red blood cells and other components of the blood product. This is crucial for infants, who have immature immune systems and are at a higher risk of developing severe complications from transfusion-related GVHD.

Other preparations, such as saline-washed or frozen red blood cells, do not provide the same level of protection against the risk of GVHD. While group and Rh compatibility with the mother is important for avoiding hemolytic reactions, it does not address the T-lymphocyte issue that leads to GVHD. Therefore, irradiation is the recommended practice specifically to enhance the safety of blood transfusions for at-risk infants.