Characteristics of red cell alloantibodies in pediatric patients with Alpha thalassemia at the National Institute of hematology and Blood transfusion, 2023–2025

Dang Thi Hong Van, Nguyen Quang Tung, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Hoang Thi Thanh Nga, Doan Thi Nhung, Le Thi Thu Huyen

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Abstract

Red cell alloantibodies reduce transfusion efficacy in pediatric patients with thalassemia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 253 pediatric alpha-thalassemia patients who had complete transfusion records and red cell alloantibody test results. Antibody screening and identification were performed using column agglutination technology with red cell panels from the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion and commercial panels from Grifols. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 27.0. The prevalence of red cell alloantibodies was 8.7% (22/253 cases) where Rh system alloantibodies represented 63.34% followed by 30.0% of the MNS system; anti-E and anti-Miᵃ were the most frequently identified antibodies. The prevalence of red cell alloantibodies was significantly higher in Kinh children than in children from other ethnic groups (12.7% vs. 5.2%; p = 0.044) and increased markedly with the cumulative number of transfused packed red blood cell units (p < 0.0001).

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References

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