Red cell alloimmunization in thalassaemia patients

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of red cell alloantibodies in a thalassaemia patient and to identify the common alloantibodies. A retrospective review of blood bank records for all thalassaemia patients. The records included, request received for blood group typing, antibody screen, antibody identification and cross-matching during the period between October 1st, 1997 to September 30, 2002. The history of blood transfusion was reviewed and the frequency rate for alloantibodies was determined. Out of 76 thalassemic patients, nine [11.8%] had developed alloantibodies. Alloantibodies detected include nonspecific antibodies 3 [33.3%], anti E and nonspecific 2 [22.2%], anti-K together with non specific antibodies 1 [11.1%], anti-E 1 [11.1%], anti E together with anti K and nonspecific alloantibodes 1 [11.1%], anti-Lea 1 [11.1%]. Red cell alloantibodies developed in 11.8% of thalassemic patients. The most common alloantibodies were Rhesus and Kell antibodies, which are present in 33.3% and 22.2% of these patients respectively. Alloimmunization is not an uncommon problem facing blood banks and finding compatible units for regularly transfused thalassemic patients may be very difficult. In order to reduce alloimmunization a policy for performing extended red cell phenotyping on these patients is essential and at least antigen Kell and E negative blood should be provided for transfusion to these patients