Frequency of Red Blood Cells Alloimmunization in Thalassemia Patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the alloimmunization rate to red blood cell in thalassemia patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder worldwide that represents a major public health problem and requires long life blood transfusion to the patients as the main treatment. Alloimmunization to the transfused red blood cell can cause hemolytic transfusion reactions and significantly complicate transfusion therapy. Screening and identification of alloantibodies and transfusion of extended phenotyped blood can minimize these risks. A retrospective study was conducted on 134 thalassemia patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah. Patients’ samples were subjected to red cell typing, antibody screening and identifi cation of red blood cell antibodies. Alloimmunization in thalassemia patients was 20.15%; antibodies were mainly to the Rh and Kell blood group systems, the highest rate was for anti-E (32.4%) followed by anti-K (21.6%). Alloimmunization rate was the highest in the age group from > 10 – 20 years (40.7%). Red cell alloimmunization is a frequent event among thalassemia patient. A national protocol for screening and identifying of the red cell alloantibodies and transfusion of phenotype blood is required for proper management of these patients.