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.