2007-03-15 08:10:24 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
2 things, younger kids are smaller, generally, and the amount of anticoagulant (stuff that keeps the blood from clotting) is premeasured in the bag for a certain amount of blood. if you are smaller (also why the weight limit is 110 lbs), they have to take less blood and then there will be too much anticoagulant in the blood.
secondly, younger children have a slightly different population of cells in their blood (white cells)...the cells are the same, the percentages are changed a bit. Anyway they are different from adults. Also, there are just things, like driving, that are adult activities.
2007-03-15 10:22:41 · answer #1 · answered by coquinegra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the Red Cross website:
In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation
Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood. (Each state determines its own age of majority, which can be different for different activities.)
Persons under the age of 17 may, however, donate blood for their own use, in advance of scheduled surgery or in situations where their blood has special medical value for a particular patient such as a family member.
2007-03-15 19:59:10 · answer #2 · answered by Flyboy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because they have take out a certain amount of blood, and if you are younger than 16 then taking out that much blood would be too much.
2007-03-15 15:15:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a health concern. They figure if you're under 17 you might not weigh enough, or you may pass out from getting stuck with a needle. They don't want to be sued.
2007-03-15 15:14:07 · answer #4 · answered by Some Lady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess that is the rule. My state is 17 w/ID
2007-03-15 15:14:44 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋