Pre- and post-donation ferritin level of blood donors attending University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Donor Clinic in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: While trying to save the patient via blood transfusion, the safety of the blood donor is paramount. This study evaluated the  pre- and post- donation ferritin and packed cell volume (PCV) of donors attending University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

Method: The  study adopted descriptive longitudinal approach. A total of 18 donors with age range of 18 – 48 years were enrolled and followed up for  30 days post- donation. The serum ferritin was analyzed using ELISA method while the PCV was analyzed using the microhematocrit  method. Difference between means was performed using repeated measure ANOVA while post hoc was done using Bonferroni  adjustment. Prediction of return to baseline values were performed using logistic regression. Alpha value was placed at 0.05.

Results:  There was a decline in ferritin and packed cell volume from pre- to post-donation. The decline in ferritin was imminent until day 14 when recovery was initiated. Significant difference was observed between the predonation ferritin and the rest of the days except day 30. There  was also a decline in PCV from pre-donation all through with recovery noticeable after day 7. The PCV of the pre-donation was only  comparable to the day 30 postdonation. Approximately 5.6% (n=1) of the subjects was iron deficient predonation. Approximately  25% (n=4) of the subject have returned to baseline PCV while 0% of the subjects have returned to baseline ferritin at day 30 post- donation.

Conclusion: For the safety of the donor, donation interval should be widened, and iron supplement followed up.