Men are more likely to die prematurely if they receive blood from a woman who has been pregnant, new research reveals.
The most common cause of such male deaths is transfusion-related acute lung injury, a study found, which causes sufferers to be unable to take in sufficient air.
For unclear reasons, women are unaffected by receiving blood from once-pregnant females, the research adds.
Researchers say further investigation is required to determine why this male-specific death risk occurs.
Professor Kevin McConway, from The Open University, who was not involved in the study, said: ‘It’s important not to read too much into this study. I’m a man, and I wouldn’t be concerned.’
