Arthur Ransom is believed to be the youngest person in Britain ever to receive a blood transfusion, with doctors performing the procedure when his mother was merely 16 weeks into her pregnancy.
The infant, then roughly the size of an avocado, underwent an intrauterine transfusion at St George's Hospital in London in 2024 after contracting parvovirus slapped cheek syndrome while still in the womb.
His mother, Maisie Ransom, has now partnered with NHS Blood and Transplant to express her profound thanks to the specialist donors who make such extraordinary interventions possible.
The donation authority has recognised eight individuals whose blood contributions have been most frequently utilised for this exceptionally rare procedure, which saves the lives of unborn babies facing critical illness.
Arthur Ransom with his mother, Maisie
|PA
The virus, typically harmless to children, proved devastating to Arthur's underdeveloped immune system, rendering him severely anaemic.
This triggered a perilous accumulation of fluid around his organs, ultimately causing heart failure in the tiny unborn baby.
His mother Maisie, a 30-year-old primary school teacher from Cranleigh in Surrey, recalled the harrowing ordeal: "The experience was absolutely terrifying. The doctor said it was 50/50 whether he would make it or not."
Medical staff faced extraordinary challenges given Arthur's minuscule size.
"He was so small the doctors were working within millimetres," Mrs Ransom explained.
"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."
The transfusion delivered vital oxygen, enabling the fluid to be reabsorbed and restoring normal cardiac function.
Intrauterine transfusions represent one of the most specialised procedures in modern medicine, with NHS Blood and Transplant issuing approximately 180 units annually for this purpose.
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The eligibility criteria for donors are stringent; only male donors qualify, and they must possess type O blood that tests negative for both the Kell antigen and cytomegalovirus.
Their donations are processed into compact packs containing highly concentrated red blood cells.
These are then administered via needle, with ultrasound guidance ensuring precision during the delicate procedure.
Dr Anne Kelly, paediatric transfusion and components clinical expert for NHSBT, emphasised the exceptional nature of such interventions: "Intrauterine transfusions are very rare. They are only done in specialised units when absolutely needed to help save a life."
Reflecting on her family's fortune, Mrs Ransom said: "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 are no words to express the gratitude I feel and how fortunate I was to be able to access that care and blood promptly."
Arthur, born in January 2025, has grown into a healthy infant.
"Arthur's doing great now, he's a really chirpy little boy, reaching all the milestones. He keeps us on our toes," his mother added.
"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."
Among the eight donors recognised for their exceptional contributions, Paul Bickley, a 45-year-old insurance company vice president from Richmond and father of four, described his emotional reaction upon learning how his blood had been used.
Paul Bickley, 45, donating his blood for a rare intrauterine transfusion (IUT)
|PA
"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," he said.
David Smith, 64, a retired heating and ventilation engineer from Westminster who has donated over 80 times, offered a characteristically understated perspective: "You can't not do it if you can help babies, you have to."
Dr Luci Etheridge, consultant paediatrician and chief medical officer at St George's, noted: "For babies like Arthur, a blood transfusion while still in the womb can mean the difference between life and loss."
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