A Retrospective Study for Prevalence of Transfusion–Transmitted Infections in Multiply Transfused Thalassemia Major Paediatric Patients

DR. ANKITA PATEL; DR. HANSA GOSWAMI

Volume : III, Issue : XII, December - 2014

A Retrospective Study for Prevalence of Transfusion–Transmitted Infections in Multiply Transfused Thalassemia Major Paediatric Patients

Dr. Ankita Patel, Dr. Hansa Goswami

Abstract :

Objective:To study the rate of seropositivity to Hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among children with β-thalassemia major receiving multiple transfusions in Ahmedabad, India, compared with healthy controls.Materials and Methods:The study was performed during 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 on multi-transfused children suffering with β-thalassemia major registered at the tertiary care center, Ahmedabad and investigated for the prevalence and development of transfusion-transmitted infections. Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), anti-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibodies (Ab), and HIVAb were checked using a fourth-generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Positive tests were confirmed by western blots. Healthy blood donors were used for the control group.Results:There were a total of 81 patients; of them 49(60.49%) were male and 32(39.51%) were female. one patient (1.23%) was positive for HBsAg, 13 (16.04%) were positive for anti-HCV, and one (1.23%) was positive for anti-HIV. Conclusion:It is concluded that HCV is the current major problem in multi-transfused children with thalassemia major and more careful pre-transfusion screening of blood for anti-HCV must be introduced in blood centers.