Transfusion-associated graft versus host disease (ta-GvHD) is a rare but almost lethal complication of blood transfusion in immunocompromised patients. To prevent ta-GvHD, irradiated blood products should be given to patients at risk: patients after bone marrow transplantation, newborns and children in the 1st year, patients with severe combined immunodeficiency, and patients receiving blood from first-degree relatives. Blood products should be irradiated at least with 30 Gy just before transfusion. With this regime in practice for 4 years, no complications and side effects were seen.
