Little Arthur Ransom received lifesaving blood infusion in womb via tiny needle when mum Maisie was just 16 weeks pregnant – as he suffered multiple organ failure
Little Arthur is thought to be the UK’s youngest blood donor recipient(Image: Handout/PA Wire)
A baby has become Britain’s youngest blood donor recipient after receiving a transfusion while the size of an apple in the womb.
Arthur Ransom’s organs were failing after contracting a virus and the intricate infusion was performed using a tiny needle at just 16 weeks into the pregnancy. The “50/50” procedure worked, so Arthur recovered in the womb and was born in January 2025.
Such procedures on babies in the womb – known as intrauterine transfusion (IUT) – can only use very specialist blood and Arthur’s mum, Maisie, is now speaking out to thank those who donated to save his life, saying “there are no words to express the gratitude I feel”.
Pregnant Maisie with husband Keith(Image: Handout/PA Wire)
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Maisie, from Cranleigh in Surrey, said: “The experience was absolutely terrifying. The doctor said it was 50/50 whether he would make it or not. He was so small the doctors were working within millimetres. 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. If nothing was done he would not have made it much longer.”
In the womb Arthur had developed parvovirus which is a common childhood illness also known as “slapped cheek syndrome”. It was life-threatening because his immune system had not yet developed enough to fight off the bug, making him severely anaemic and causing a dangerous build-up of fluid, which in turn caused heart failure.
The intricate transfusion via needle guided by ultrasound delivered oxygen to Arthur’s body so the fluid around his heart and organs could be reabsorbed. The procedure at St George’s Hospital in London reduced the strain on his body and heart, allowing normal function to return.
Maisie, 30, said: “The doctor said to the best of her knowledge there was no-one younger to get an intrauterine transfusion. Arthur’s doing great now, he’s a really chirpy little boy, reaching all the milestones. He keeps us on our toes. I think every day about how lucky I am.
Maisie with Arthur after his birth last year(Image: Handout/PA Wire)
“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. 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.”
The Mirror has launched the Give a Pint, Save a Life campaign to help blood stocks recover after the Covid-19 pandemic amid ongoing shortages.
IUTs are some of the rarest transfusions which require very specific blood which can only be provided by a small number of donors. Donors need to be men, have type O blood which is “Kell negative” and also negative for cytomegalovirus. Only around 180 IUT units are issued each year by the NHS. Their blood is made into small packs of extremely concentrated red cells, which are then transfused into anaemic foetuses.
A scan photo of Arthur(Image: Handout/PA Wire)
Dr Anne Kelly, paediatric transfusion expert at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), said: “IUTs are very rare and are only done in specialised units when absolutely needed to help save a life.”
NHSBT has contacted some of the country’s most prolific IUT donors. Paul Bickley, 45, from Richmond, south west London, said: “I started donating because my mum and dad donate. My mum told me it is a good thing to do to give back literally and metaphorically to society. As the years went on and we had our own children I just realised life is very precious and that kept me donating.
“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.”
Little Arthur celebrating his first Christmas(Image: Handout/PA Wire)
Retired heating engineer David Smith, 64, from Westminster in London, has donated more than 80 times. He said: “You can’t not do it if you can help babies, you have to. It’s always a pleasure to donate, whether it’s used for babies or for anyone.”
Dr Luci Etheridge, consultant paediatrician and chief medical officer at St George’s, said: “For babies like Arthur, a blood transfusion while still in the womb can mean the difference between life and loss. We are deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this possible.”
Visit blood.co.uk to register to give blood.