Relationship of alloantibody detection with number of blood transfusions

ABSTRACT

To study the presence of the alloantibodies and their relationship with the number of transfusions. Two hundred subjects undergoing regular blood transfusions with at least 5 pints of blood within last six months were included in the study. Out of 200 patients, 140 [70%] were transfusion depended thalassaemics, 20 [10%] were haemophilics receiving multiple transfusions, 20 [10%] patients were of aplastic anaemia and 20 [10%] patients were with chronic renal failure undergoing haemodialysis. Antibodies were detected in 9/200 [4.5%] subjects. Ninety four patients received 5-50 transfusions, 2.13% developed alloantibodies. Sixty five patients received >50-100 blood transfusions, 6.15% developed alloantibodies. Forty one patients received >100 blood transfusions, 7.31% developed alloantobodies. Frequency of red cell alloantobodies in our transfusion dependent patient population is 4.5%. The risk of developing alloantobodies increased with increasing number of blood transfusion irrespective of underlying disorder.