Estimation of prevalence of red cell alloantibodies in patients with Beta Thalassaemia Major in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Major beta thalassaemia is an inherited haemolytic disease that needs regular blood transfusion as a standard treatment. Blood transfusion is generally safe; however, adverse effects can occur and one of which is red cell alloimmunization that can lead to acute or delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of red cell alloantibodies in patients with thalassaemia in Sri Lanka.

METHODS

The study was carried out at three tertiary care hospitals of Sri Lanka. Every beta thalassaemia patients transfused with packed red cells were included. Data collected to a form by analysing the cross match request form sent to the blood bank prior to the transfusion.

RESULTS

There were 398 patients in all hospitals. 188 (47.24%) of them were males and 210 (52.76%) were females. Mean age was 18.41 (SD=11.67) years. Out of 398 patients, unexpected red cell antibodies are present only in 6 (1.51%) patients. Identified antibodies were Anti E, Anti K, Anti D, Anti C, Anti S, Anti Jkb and autoantibodies. There was one patient who had developed multiple antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of red cell antibodies is lower, even though the patients were been transfused without phenotypically matched red cells. Further studies are suggested to decide the practice of Rh and Kell matching for transfusion in patients with beta thalassaemia.