Multiple transfusion associated alloimmunization in chronic kidney disease patients at State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization is a common complication in blood in patients receiving multiple transfusion. chronic  kidney disease (CKD) develop anemia, which requires regular blood transfusions as part of routine management, these exposes patients  to different donors’ antigens and they developed RBC antibodies and complicates subsequent process making it difficult to selects  suitable blood for transfusions.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of red cell alloimmunization among multiply  transfused CKD patients.

Methods: this is a cross-sectional study of 100 subjects with CKD, who passed inclusion criteria and consented to  participate in the study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data. Four millilitres (4 ml) of  blood was collected by aseptic venepuncture technique into a plain container. The ABO, Rh blood groups and indirect coombs test (ICT)  were done by using standard tube technique.

Results: Out of 100 participants, 54 were males (54%) and 46 were females (46%), within the  age range of 20–79years, with an overall mean age of 46.45 ± 11.67years. The blood types O, B, and A Rh positive are more prevalent,  accounting for 34%, 26%, and 19%, respectively. While AB Rh negative was the least in prevalence (1%). The CKD subjects who receive 6–8  units of blood were higher in prevalence (42.2%), while those who receive 15–17 was the least (2.3%). The overall prevalence of red cell  alloimmunization was 9% among the study participants

Conclusion: The results of the present study have demonstrated that the blood  type O Rh positive are more prevalent in the study and account for high CKD individuals which is also appear to be the most prevalent  blood group phenotype in this region, the rate of red cell alloimmunization has shown to be depend on number of unit of blood  transfused .This indicate that the more the number of transfusion the more red cells alloimmunization and the chance of transfusion  reaction related complications.