Malaria, Anemia, and Hospitalizations Among Yanomami Children in Roraima, Brazilian Amazon: The Perspective of Hemotherapy Professionals

Abstract

In this article, we discuss aspects related to the impact of malaria hyperendemicity on transfusion medicine in the state of Roraima, which has been the stage of the humanitarian crisis experienced by the Yanomami people in their territory, violated by illegal gold mining. Removed from their Indigenous lands for hospital admission in Boa Vista, dozens of Yanomami children require blood transfusion in a clinical context marked by chronic malaria, severe anemia, respiratory infections, diarrhea, and severe acute malnutrition—conditions that potentially result in fatal outcomes. Transfusion is hindered by the patients’ immunological environment, which leads to the emergence of unexpected antibodies capable of compromising the identification of compatible blood units. The pathophysiological mechanisms of malaria-related anemia, with particular emphasis on immune-mediated hemolytic processes are addressed.