Antibody Screening in Patients With Thalassemia Major

Background: The development of hemolytic alloantibodies and erythrocyte autoantibodies complicates transfusion therapy in thalassemia patients. Methods: The frequency causes and prevention of this phenomenon in 90 transfused thalassemia patients were evaluated at Fatemeh Zahra Hospital in Bushehr in a cross-sectional study. Results: In our study, the age of onset of symptoms ranged from 40 days to 12 years (1.72 ± 1.88 years). Hemoglobin (Hb) levels per transfusion in these patients were 8.40 ±0.82%. Red cell alloantibodies were detected in 9 patients (10%). The red cell antibodies developed in this report were mainly Kell and C system. Our data showed that alloimmunization to minor erythrocyte antigens and erythrocyte autoimmunization of significant clinical variables are frequent findings in transfused thalassemia patients. Conclusion: There is no relation between the number of blood units transfused and antibody formation in thalassemia, but it is an important factor for increased alloimmunization in these patients.

antibody screening, thalassemia major, alloantibodies, autoantibodies