The prevalence of undesired blood group antibodies in thalassemia patients

Abstract Background and Objectives Blood transfusion related alloimmunization is common among patients receiving regular blood transfusion, especially thalassemia patients. In this study we aimed to find the prevalence of alloimmunization among patients of thalassemia.   Materials and Methods In this desciptional study, we screened 305 thalassemia patients (53.8% female and  46.2% male, age 4-38) referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital during 2017-2018 for presence of antibodies against blood group antigens. Then for those patients of positive antibody screening result we identified the antibody in each patient.   Results Seven out of 305 patients in this study had positive antibody screening results. The most prevalent alloantibodies were detected to be anti-K (6 patients, 85.7%) and anti-E (2 patients, 28.57%). Also, 2 out of 7 patients with positive antibody results presented dual antibody of anti-K and anti-E.   Conclusions  According to the results, anti-K and anti-E are the most likely antibodies presenting in patients of thalassemia with positive antibody screening results. This point is important to bear in mind in providing special blood supplies for thalassemics who are in need of regular blood transfusion. Prior to treatment of multitransfused patients like thalassemia the phenotyping of patients for important blood groups of Kell and Rh should be considered.