Complications from blood transfusion can be categorised as those arising from a single transfusion and those related to massive transfusion. Complications from a single transfusion Complications from a single transfusion include: ● incompatibility haemolytic transfusion reaction; ● febrile transfusion reaction; ● allergic reaction; ● infection: ● bacterial infection (usually due to faulty storage); ● hepatitis; ● HIV; ● malaria; ● air embolism; ● thrombophlebitis; ● transfusion-related acute lung injury (usually from FFP). Complications from massive transfusion Complications from massive transfusion include: ● coagulopathy; ● hypocalcaemia; ● hyperkalaemia; ● hypokalaemia; ● hypothermia. In addition, patients who receive repeated transfusions over long periods of time (e.g. patients with thalassaemia) may develop iron overload. (Each transfused unit of red blood cells contains approximately 250 mg of elemental iron.)