Allergic Transfusion Reactions in a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Allergic reaction is a recognized cause of morbidity in clinical blood transfusion. Few studies have characterised the presentation of this adverse reaction in the general population of transfusion recipients in Nigerians. Aim: To determine the patterns of presentation of allergic transfusion reactions in both adult and paediatric blood /blood products recipients in this environment. Methods: Using a haemovigilance report form; we prospectively evaluated the presentation of allergic transfusion reactions among transfusion recipients. Information obtained include age; sex; blood component transfused; history of atopy in the patient or family. Detailed clinical examination and review of the recipients was done from the commencement of the transfusion episode up till 24 hrs after the completion of the transfusion. Results: A total of 462 consecutive transfusion episodes were evaluated for allergic events. Including 101 children and 157 adults. The results show that allergic transfusion reactions are not uncommon in the population. The overall incidence of allergic transfusion reactions was 2.8. The commonest allergic symptom seen was pruritus. There was no significant statistical difference in the overall incidence of allergy between adult and paediatric transfusion recipients. Pattern of the specific allergic symptoms differ between the two subpopulations with peri-orbital oedema seen exclusively in children. Atopic paediatric transfusion recipients are at higher risk of allergic reactions than adults ( p=0.05). Conclusion: Incidence of allergic transfusion reactions is similar in black adult and paediatric transfusion recipients. Improvement in blood transfusion practice through enhanced component transfusion will reduce the incidence in transfusion recipients