Frequencies of maternal red blood cell alloantibodies in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Alloantibodies of clinical importance can cause transfusion reactions or hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). The frequencies of these antibodies have not been reported in our locality.Aims:To determine the frequency of occurrence of alloantibodies among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Settings and Design:This is a prospective study, which was carried out in the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:Screening and identification of red blood cell alloantibodies was done on the sera of 500 pregnant women using the DiaMed, DiaCell, and DiaPanel reagents (Cressier, Switzerland). ABO and Rh blood groups were done using antisera bought from Biotec (Ipswich, UK).Results:Alloantibodies were identified in the serum of 17 of the 500 (3.4%) pregnant women. The specificity of the antibodies was as follows: anti-C 6 (1.2%), anti-E 3 (0.6%), anti-Jsb 3 (0.6%), and anti-K 5 (1.0%). No anti-D was identified despite 8.6% of the study population being Rhesus D (Rh D) negative. The distribution of the antibodies was found to be independent of the blood groups of the participants (χ2 = 4.050, P = 0.670). Blood group O constituted the highest percentage (48.0%).Conclusion:This study has identified the presence of non-Rh D antibodies to the proportion of 3.4%. Rh D antibody was absent in this population irrespective of the relatively high percentage of Rh D negative women. There is a need to determine the actual risk these antibodies may pose to the antenatal women and to include antibody screening and identification in routine antenatal care.

Prevalence of Rhesus c and e Phenotype Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

“…These antibodies can in subsequent pregnancy pass through the placenta and attack foetal red cells carrying the corresponding antigen causing HDFN. Similarly haemolytic transfusion reaction can also occur if the mother is transfused with red cell that are positive for the antigen to which she has developed alloantibodies [13][14][15] . Development of all antibodies can potentially complicate and limits transfusion therapy, contributing to a delay in getting compatible blood, technical complications and sometimes morbidity and mortality.…”

Maternal red blood cell alloantibodies identified in blood samples obtained from Iranian pregnant women: the first population study in Iran

“…The prevalence of alloantibodies in pregnancy has been reported in various countries . A compilation of similar data from Iran is limited.…”

Abo/Rh Distribution Pattern and Prevalence of Irregular Antibodies in Healthy Blood Donors of Uttarakhand

“…20 Britain. 21 21 22 Sallander et al 23 Bojadzieva et al 24 Makroo et al 25 Myhre et al 26 Richard et al 27 Winters et al 28 Giblett et al 29 Tormey et al 30 Zhu et al 31 Yeela et al 32 Garcia et al 33 Andersen et al 34 Wu et al 35 Varghese et al 36 Jeremiah et al 37 Healthy …”