Surrey family thankful to donors after UK’s youngest blood transfusion
Arthur was still in the womb when he received a blood transfusion
Last updated 21st Apr 2026
A family from Surrey are expressing their profound gratitude to blood donors after their unborn baby received a rare and life-saving blood transfusion while still in the womb.
Doctors believe that Arthur Ransom may be the youngest patient in the UK to receive this type of transfusion, known as intrauterine transfusion (IUT), which occurred at just 16 weeks of pregnancy when he was about the size of an avocado.
The procedure was performed at St George’s Hospital in London in 2024, following Arthur's contraction of parvovirus, a typically harmless illness that left him severely anaemic and caused a dangerous build-up of fluid.
Doctors delivered the transfusion using specialised concentrated red blood cells, helping Arthur's body to reabsorb fluid and relieving strain on his heart.
Arthur was born in January 2025 and is now thriving, according to his mother, Maisie Ransom from Cranleigh:
“The experience was absolutely terrifying. The doctor said it was 50/50 whether he would make it or not. 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.
“If nothing was done he would not have made it much longer.
“The doctor said to the best of her knowledge there was no-one younger to get an intrauterine transfusion.”
The 30-year-old primary school teacher added: “Arthur’s doing great now, he’s a really chirpy little boy, reaching all the milestones.
“He keeps us on our toes. I think every day about how lucky I am. I don’t think there are words to describe how thankful I am to blood donors.
“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.
“I do often wonder who the person to donate was as I would love to tell them that their decision to give blood gave my boy the chance to be here.”
The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) authority identified eight donors whose blood made the specialist product used in Arthur’s transfusion.
Donors must meet strict criteria: be male, have type O blood that is 'Kell negative' and negative for cytomegalovirus.
Dr Anne Kelly, paediatric transfusion and components clinical expert for NHSBT, said: “Intrauterine transfusions are very rare.
“They are only done in specialised units when absolutely needed to help save a life.
“We only supply from blood from carefully selected donors and extra safety measures are applied as the patients are particularly vulnerable recipients because of their small size and developmental immaturity.
“We’re incredibly grateful to these donors whose blood has been used the most times for IUTs and we urge anyone who has been inspired to consider registering as a blood donor at blood.co.uk.”
Paul Bickley, 45, who has been identified as one of the men who has donated the most for IUT procedures, said he started donating blood because of his mother’s “generous heart”.
The father of four, from Richmond, who is a vice president of an insurance company, said: “I started donating because my mum and dad donate.
“My mum told me it is a good thing to do to give back literally and metaphorically to society.
“She just has a generous heart.
“As the years went on and we had our own children I just realised life is very precious and that kept me donating.
“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.
“It was mind-blowing and miraculous.”
David Smith, 64, from Westminster in London, has also been identified as a donor whose blood has been used the most for these specialist transfusions.
The retired heating and ventilation engineer, who has donated more than 80 times overall, said: “When I found out I was O negative I thought I would keep doing this.
“You can’t not do it if you can help babies, you have to.
“It’s always a pleasure to donate, whether it’s used for babies or for anyone.”