Unborn baby the size of an apple becomes Britain’s youngest blood donor recipient

Unborn baby the size of an apple becomes Britain’s youngest blood donor recipientLittle Arthur Ransom received lifesaving blood infusion in womb via tiny needle when mum Maisie was just 16 weeks pregnant - as he suffered multiple organ failureCommentsNewsMartin Bagot Health and Science Editor00:00, 21 Apr 2026View 5 ImagesLittle 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”.‌View 5 ImagesPregnant Maisie with husband Keith(Image: Handout/PA Wire)READ MORE: What is baby-saving ‘NEO’ blood? NHS says one in four of us have itREAD MORE: Widow's appeal after 'fit and vibrant' husband fell suddenly ill with leukaemiaMaisie, 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...