Leukoreduction

Leukoreduction is like cleaning your room before your friend comes over to play. Just like you don't want any dirty socks, toys or crumbs lying around when your friend comes over, the doctors don't want any extra cells called leukocytes in your blood that might affect your health.

Leukocytes are your body's special guards that fight off any germs or infections that can make you sick. But sometimes, when you need a transfusion of blood, these extra leukocytes can also get in and cause some problems.

That's where leukoreduction comes in. It's a process of cleaning up the blood before it's given to someone who needs it. It's like taking out all the extra socks and toys from your room before your friend comes over.

Doctors use a special machine to filter out all the extra leukocytes from the blood so that only the good stuff like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets stay behind. This way, when you get a transfusion, you won't get any unwanted leukocyte visitors that could cause complications.

Leukoreduction makes sure that the blood you receive is as safe and healthy as possible. Just like how you want your room to be clean and healthy for your friend to come over and have fun!