Frequency of Red Cell Alloimmunization Among Patients with Transfusion Dependent Beta Thalassemia in Pakistan

摘要

Development of red cell alloantibodies complicates transfusion therapy in multi transfused beta thalassemia patients. This study was designed to determine the frequency of red cell alloantibodies in patients with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia in Pakistani population. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at Baqai Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University and Husaini Institute of Hematology and oncology Karachi. A total of 800 transfusion dependent patients with beta thalassemia from different thalassemia centers in Karachi were included in this study to determine the frequency of red cell alloantibodies. Of 800 patients with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia, 30 (3.75%) patients developed red cell alloantibodies. These red cell alloantibodies were against Rh, Lewis, Duffy and Kell blood group systems. Results of this study indicate low frequency of red cell alloimmunization in Pakistani thalassemic population. This implies that there is homogeneity of red cell antigens in blood donors and recipients in Pakistani population. Red cell alloantibody formation was not influenced by age at the first transfusion, number of blood transfusions or splenectomy. Routine pre-transfusion phenotyping of blood, other than ABO and Rh “D” antigens is not recommended because of low rate of red cell alloimmunization and high cost of such testing.