FDA reports possible side effects in patients who received blood
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Posted 3:48PM on Friday, February 7, 2003
ATLANTA - Federal officials say some patients who received blood from bags similar to those that were quarantined in Georgia and Tennessee have suffered adverse effects, including one death. <br>
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it's investigating whether the white particles found in some bags caused the side effects. <br>
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The patient who died was severely ill before receiving the transfusion. <br>
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Some blood supplies in Red Cross regions in Georgia, Tennessee and the surrounding region were quarantined last week, when 120 units of blood were found with white particles. <br>
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The bags under investigation were made by Baxter International. But the FDA said today it has received preliminary reports about problems with other manufacturer's bags. <br>
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Previous tests on the Baxter bags found the particles were not caused by an infectious agent. <br>
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Baxter officials say their tests indicate the particles are natural components of blood and are not caused by the bags.