Unfortunately there is always a small risk of a serious problem occurring with a general anaesthetic, so there may be occasions when we delay the procedure or use sedation instead. If your child has a heavy chest cold the GA may be postponed for a few days. The bone marrow is where the blood cells are produced, this is an ongoing process as blood cells are continually being used up. The white blood cells help the body to fight infection, platelets help to stop bleeding and bruising, and anaemia occurs if the Hb is low.
Some drugs decrease the production of blood cells by the bone marrow for a variable period of time.
During this time the blood count can be very low and your child may need blood transfusions to correct anaemia, platelet transfusions to stop bruising or bleeding, and he will be at increased risk of infections. All blood and platelets in the UK are fully screened for infection and we consider them to be quite safe. It is put in through a small cut in the neck, usually under general anaesthetic. From here the line runs just underneath the skin to come out on the side of the chest. This line avoids the need for repeated needle pricks and allows chemotherapy to be given more safely.