An Analysis of the Haematological Changes in Post Renal Transplant Patients at a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

BACKGROUNDRenal transplantation is considered as the surgical procedure used in renal replacement therapy. It has better patient survival. Common haematological changes in post renal transplant patients include anaemias, cytopenias, and rarely lymphoproliferative disorders. These changes are common adverse effects of immunosuppressive medications, infections due to immune suppression, transplant or immunosuppression-related co-morbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective study from the Upgraded Department of Pathology, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad was done. Haematological indices of 100 post renal transplant patients were collected. The whole blood samples were analysed on Sysmex-1000 automated cell counter. Indices included in the study are haemoglobin, RBC count, WBC count, Platelet count, Differential count, Reticulocyte count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). RESULTSThere were 62% patients who had haemoglobin less than 9 gm/dl. 53% patients had leukocytosis. There was significant neutrophilic leukocytosis in 78% of patients. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 44% of patients. CONCLUSIONHaematological changes post renal transplantation are multifactorial. Understanding how blood disorders develop will help cure these life threatening complications. Pharmacological treatment strategies for post-transplant blood disorders like tapering immunosuppressive therapy or replacing myelotoxic immunosuppressive drugs with lower toxic alternatives, recognizing and treating promptly the aetiological microorganisms attenuating bone marrow suppression will enhance kidney graft survival.