Evaluation of transfusion-related complications along with estimation of inhibitors in patients with hemophilia: A pilot study from a single center

BACKGROUND: Apart from inhibitor development in patients with hemophilia (PWH) the old problems of blood borne viral infections and red cell alloimmunization still persist in PWH from developing countries. This study was planned to detect the presence of inhibitors in our PWH and to determine the presence of transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) markers and clinically significant red cell alloantibodies in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen PWH were screened for various laboratory tests. Screening for inhibitors was done by mixing study. Blood grouping, TTI testing and red cell alloantibody detection were done as per the departmental standard operating procedures. RESULTS: Out of 114 patients evaluated 98(86%) had hemophilia A and remaining 16(14%) had hemophilia B. Five (5.1%) patients of hemophilia A were positive on inhibitor screening. On Bethesda assay, one patient was high responder (14.4 BU/ml) and rest 4 were low responders (<5 BU/ml). Overall, 19 PWH were positive for TTI markers and two had clinically significant red cell alloantibody (anti-E and anti-Jk(b)). CONCLUSION: This is probably first comprehensive study from our state on laboratory testing in PWH. The specialty of Transfusion Medicine can be a core part of hemophilia care. The overall prevalence of inhibitors in our hemophilia A patients was 5.1%, which is less as compared to majority of published studies.